Personal items network, and associated methods

ABSTRACT

A personal items network, comprising a plurality of items, each item having a wireless communications port for coupling in network with every other item, each item having a processor for determining if any other item in the network is no longer linked to the item, each item having an indicator for informing a user that an item has left the network, wherein a user may locate lost items. A method for locating lost personal items, comprising: linking at least two personal items together on a network; and depositing one or both of time and location information in an unlost item when one of the items is lost out of network.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/428,186, filed Apr. 22, 2009, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/647,042, filed Dec. 28, 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No.7,552,031) which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/601,208 filed Jun. 20, 2003 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,277), which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/297,270 filed Dec.4, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,280,682), which claims priority to PCTApplication No. PCT/US01/51620, filed Dec. 17, 2001 and to the followingtwo U.S. provisional applications: U.S. Provisional Application No.60/285,032, filed Apr. 19, 2001; and U.S. Provisional Application No.60/323,601, filed Sep. 20, 2001. The foregoing applications areexpressly incorporated herein by reference. The following provisionalapplications are also incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/256,069, filed Dec. 15,2000; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/257,386, filed Dec. 22, 2000;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/259,271, filed Dec. 29, 2000; andU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/261,359, filed Jan. 13, 2001. Inaddition, this application is also related to the followingapplications, which are also incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties: application Ser. No. 11/358,508 filed Feb. 21, 2006 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,171,331); and application Ser. No. 11/746,863 filed May10, 2007 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,627,451); and application Ser. No.12/428,186 filed Apr. 22, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to sensing systems monitoring applications insports, shipping, training, medicine, fitness, wellness and industrialproduction. The invention specifically relates to sensing and reportingevents associated with movement, environmental factors such astemperature, health functions, fitness effects, and changing conditions.

BACKGROUND

The movement of objects and persons occurs continuously but is hardlyquantified. Rather, typically only the result of the movement is known(i.e., object X moved from point A to point B; or, person Y ran to thestore). Advances in technology have provided some quantification ofmovement. For example, GPS products now assist in determining thelocation of golf carts, vehicles and persons.

However, the detail of movement, minute to minute, second to second, isstill not generally determinable in the prior art. For example, themovement of tangible objects typically involves (a) the shipment orcarrying of goods and (b) electro-mechanical or motorized apparatus(e.g., planes, trains, automobiles, robots). The exact movements of suchobjects, and the conditions that they are subjected to, from point topoint, are only qualitatively known. By way of example, a package ismoved from location to location through delivery services like FEDERALEXPRESS or UPS; however what occurred during transportation, and whattranspired to the package, is anyone's guess. Occasionally, an objectwithin the package is broken, indicating that the package experiencedexcessive abuse; but whose fault it is, or how or when it happened, arenot known. What environments the package experienced is also not readilyknown.

The movement of persons, on the other hand, typicallyinvolves-human-powered transportation, e.g., facilitated by biking, awheelchair, or a motorized vehicle, e.g., a car. Body movement involvedin transportation is subjected to many forces, some of which aredangerous. But the prior art does not provide for this knowledge; thereis no effective way, currently, to efficiently quantify human movement.In sports, physical fitness, and training, precise information aboutmovement would assist in many ways. By way of example, how effective ahand strike is in karate or boxing is, today, only qualitatively known.Quantitative feedback would be beneficial.

It is, accordingly, one feature of the invention to provide systems andmethods addressing the afore-mentioned difficulties. A further featureof the invention is to provide methods and devices to quantify movementin a number of applications. Another feature of the invention is tomonitor and report meaningful environment information such astemperature and humidity. These and other features will be apparent inthe description that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Movement Monitoring Devices

In one aspect, the invention provides a movement monitor device (“MMD”)including an adhesive strip, a processor, a detector, and acommunications port. In another aspect, two or more of the processor,port and detector are combined in a single application specificintegrated circuit (“ASIC”). In one aspect the detector is anaccelerometer, and preferably an accelerometer embedded into siliconwithin the ASIC. In other aspects, the detector is one of a straingauge, force-sensing resistor, and piezoelectric strip. In still anotheraspect, the MMD includes a battery. In the preferred aspect of theinvention, the MMD and battery are packaged in a protective wrapper.Preferably, the battery is packaged with the MMD in such a way that itdoes not “power” the MMD until the wrapper is removed. Preferably, theMMD includes a real time clock so that the MMD tags “events” (ashereinafter defined) with time and/or date information.

In yet another aspect, the MMD with adhesive strip collectively take aform similar to an adhesive bandage. More particularly, the adhesivestrip of the invention is preferably like or similar to the adhesive ofthe adhesive bandage; and the processor (or protective wrapper) isembedded with the strip much the way the cotton is with the adhesivebandage. Preferably, a soft material (e.g., cotton or cloth) is includedto surround the processor so as to (a) soften contact of rigid MMDcomponents with a person and/or (b) protect the processor (and/or othercomponents of the MMD). In still another aspect, the battery is alsocoupled with the soft material. In still another aspect, the processorand other elements of the MMD are combined into a single system-on-chipintegrated circuit. A protective cover may surround the chip to protectthe MMD from breakage.

In one aspect, one MMD of the invention takes a form similar to a smartlabel, with an adhesive substantially disposed with the label, e.g., onone side of the label. The adhesive strip of this MMD includes all orpart of the back of the label with adhesive or glue permittingattachment of the label to other objects (or to a person).

In still another aspect, the MMD of the invention takes the form of arigid monolithic that attaches to objects through one of knowntechniques. In this aspect, the device has a processor, communicationsport, and detector. A battery is typically included with the MMD. TheMMD is attached to objects or persons by one of several techniques,including by glue or mechanical attachment (e.g., a pin or clip). An MMDof this aspect can for example exist in the form of a credit card,wherein the communications port is either a contact transponder or acontactless transponder. The MMD of one aspect includes a magneticelement that facilitates easily attaching the MMD to metal objects.

In operation, the MMD of the invention is typically interrogated by aninterrogation device (“ID”). The MMD is responsive to the ID tocommunicate information within the MMD and, preferably, over securecommunications protocols. By way of example, one MMD of the inventionreleases internal data only to an ID with the correct passwords and/ordata protocols. The ID can take many forms, including a cell phone orother electronic device (e.g., a MP3 player, pager, watch, or PDA)providing communications with the MMD transmitter

However, in another aspect, the MMD communicates externally to a remotereceiver (“RR”). The RR listens for data from the MMD and collects thatdata for subsequent relay or use. In one aspect, the MMD'scommunications port is a one-way transmitter. Preferably, the MMDcommunicates data from the MMD to the RR either (a) upon the occurrenceof an “event” or (b) in repeated time intervals, e.g., once every tenminutes. Alternatively, the MMD's communication port is a transceiverthat handshakes with the RR to communicate data from the MMD to the RR.Accordingly, the MMD responds to data requests from the RR, in thisaspect. In still another aspect, the RR radiates the MMD withtransponder frequencies; and the MMD “reflects” movement data to the RR.

Accordingly, the communications port of one aspect is a transponderresponsive to one or more frequencies to relay data back to an ID. Byway of example, these frequencies can be one of 125 kHz and 13.56 MHz,the frequencies common with “contactless” RFID tags known in the art. Inother aspects, communications frequencies are used with emission powerand frequencies that fall within the permissible “unlicensed” emissionspectrum of part 15 of FCC regulations, Title 47 of the Code of FederalRegulations. In particular, one desirable feature of the invention is toemit low power, to conserve battery power and to facilitate use of theMMD in various environments; and therefore an ID is placed close to theMMD to read the data. In other words, in one aspect, wirelesscommunications from the MMD to the ID occurs over a short distance of afraction of an inch to no more than a few feet. By way of example, asdescribed herein, one ID of the invention takes the form of a cellphone, which communicates with the MMD via one or more securecommunications techniques. Data acquired from the MMD is thencommunicated through cellular networks, if desired, to relay MMD data toend-users.

Or, in another aspect, the ID has a larger antenna to pick up weaktransmission signals from a MMD at further distances separation.

In another aspect, the communications port is an infrared communicationsport. Such a port, in one aspect, communicates with the cell phone insecure communication protocols. In other aspects, an ID communicateswith the infrared port to obtain the data within the MMD.

In yet another aspect, the communications port includes a transceiver.The MMD listens for interrogating signals from the RR and, in turn,relays movement “event” data from the MMD to the RR. Alternatively, theMMD relays movement “event” data at set time intervals or when the MMDaccumulates data close to an internal storage limit. In one aspect,thereby, the MMD include internal memory; and the MMD stores one or more“event” data, preferably with time-tag information, in the memory. Whenthe memory is nearly full, the MMD transmits the stored data wirelesslyto a RR. Alternatively, stored data is transmitted to an IR wheninterrogated. In a third alternative, the MMD transmits stored data atset intervals, e.g., once per ½ hour or once per hour, to relay storeddata to a RR. Other transmission protocols can be used without departingfrom the scope of the invention.

In still another aspect, data from the MMD is relayed to an ID through“contact” communication between the ID and the communications port. Inone aspect, the MMD includes a small conductive plate (e.g., a goldplate) that contacts with the ID to facilitate data transfer. Smartcards from the manufacturer GEMPLUS may be used in such aspects of theinvention.

In one aspect, the MMD includes a printed circuit board “PCB”). Abattery—e.g., a 2032 or 1025 Lithium coin cell—is also included, inanother aspect of the invention. To make the device small, the PCBpreferably has multilayers—and two of the internal layers have asubstantial area of conducting material forming two terminals for thebattery. Specifically, the PCB is pried apart at one edge, between theterminals, and the battery is inserted within the PCB making contact andproviding voltage to the device. This advantageously removes then needfor a separate and weighty battery holder.

In another aspect, the PCB has first and second terminals on either sideof the PCB, and a first side of the battery couples to the firstterminal, while a clip connects the second side of the battery to thesecond terminal, making the powered connection. This aspectadvantageously removes the need for a separate and weighty batteryholder.

In still another aspect, a terminal is imprinted on one side of the PCB,and a first side of the battery couples to that terminal A conductiveforce terminal connects to the PCB and the second side of the battery,forming a circuit between the battery and the PCB.

By way of background for transponder technology, the following U.S.patents are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,342and U.S. Pat. No. 5,541,604.

By way of background for smart card and smart tag technology, thefollowing U.S. patents are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat.No. 6,151,647; U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,303. U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,503; U.S.Pat. No. 5,690,773; U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,525; U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,747;U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,877; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,037.

By way of background for adhesive bandages, the following U.S. patentsare incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,035; U.S. Pat.No. 5,947,917; U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,070; U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,541; andU.S. Pat. No. 3,612,265.

By way of background for pressure and altitude sensing, the followingU.S. patents are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No.5,178,016; U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,126; U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,272; U.S. Pat.No. 4,911,016; U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,694; U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,016; U.S.Pat. No. 3,958,459.

By way of background for rotation sensors, the following U.S. patentsare incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,221; U.S. Pat.No. 6,089,098; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,699. Magnetorestrictive elementsare further discussed in the following patents, also incorporated hereinby reference: U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,724 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,316.

In accord with one aspect of the invention, the communications port isone of a transponder (including a smart tag or RFID tag), transceiver,or one-way transmitter. In other aspects, data from the MMD iscommunicated off-board (i.e., away from the MMD) by one of severaltechniques, including: streaming the data continuously off-board to geta real-time signature of data experienced by the MMD; transmissiontriggered by the occurrence of an “event” as defined herein;transmission triggered by interrogation, such as interrogation by an IDwith a transponder; transmission staggered in “bursts” or “batches,”such as when internal storage memory is full; and transmission atpredetermined intervals of time, such as every minute or hour.

In one preferred aspect of the invention, the above-described MMDs arepackaged like an adhesive bandage. Specifically, in one aspect, one ormore protective strips rest over the adhesive portion of the device soas to protect the adhesive until the protective strips are removed. Thestrips are substantially stick-free so that they are easily removed fromthe adhesive prior to use. In another aspect, a “wrapper” is used tosurround the MMD; the wrapper for example similar to wrappers ofadhesive bandages. In accord with one preferred aspect, the batteryelectrically couples with the electronics of the MMD when the wrapper isopened and/or when the protective strips are removed. In this way, theMMD can be “single use” with the battery energizing the electronics onlywhen the MMD is opened and applied to an object or person; the batterypower being conserved prior to use by a decoupling element associatedwith the wrapper or protective strips. Those skilled in the art shouldappreciate that other techniques can be used without departing from thescope of the invention.

The MMDs of the invention are preferably used to detect movement“metrics,” including one or more of airtime, speed, power, impact, dropdistance, jarring and spin. WO9854581A2 is incorporated herein byreference as background to measuring speed, drop distance, jarring,impact and airtime. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,157,898, 6,151,563, 6,148,271 and6,073,086, relating to spin and speed measurement, are incorporatedherein by reference. In one aspect, the detector and processor of theMMD collectively detect and determine “airtime,” such as set forth inU.S. Pat. No. 5,960,380, incorporated herein by reference. By way ofexample, one detector is an accelerometer, and the processor analyzesacceleration data from the accelerometer as a spectrum of informationand then detects the absence of acceleration data (typically in one ormore frequency bands of the spectrum of information) to determineairtime. In another aspect, the detector and processor of the MMDcollectively detect and determine drop distance. By way of example, onedrop distance detector is a pressure sensor, and the processor analyzesdata from the pressure sensor to determine changes in pressureindicating altitude variations (a) over a preselected time interval, (b)between a maximum and minimum altitude to assess overall verticaltravel, and/or (c) between local minimums and maximums to determine jumpdistance. By way of a further example, a drop distance detector is anaccelerometer, and the processor analyzes data from the accelerometer todetermine distance, or changes in distance, in a direction perpendicularto ground, or perpendicular to forward movement, to determine dropdistance.

In one preferred aspect, the accelerometer has “free fall” capability(e.g., with near zero hertz detection) to determine drop distance (orother metrics described herein) based, at least on part, on free fallphysics. This aspect is for example useful in detecting dropping eventsof packages in shipment.

In another aspect, the detector and processor of the MMD collectivelydetect and determine spin. By way of example, one detector is amagnetorestrictive element (“MRE”), and the processor analyzes data fromthe MRE to determine spin (rotation per second, number of degrees,and/or degrees per second) based upon the MME's rotation through theearth's magnetic fields. By way of a further example, another detectoris a rotational accelerometer, and the processor analyzes data from therotational accelerometer to determine spin. In another aspect, thedetector and processor of the MMD collectively detect and determinejarring, power and/or impact. By way of example, one detector is anaccelerometer, and the processor analyzes data from the accelerometer todetermine the jarring, impact and/or power. As used herein, jarring is afunction a higher power of velocity in a direction approximatelyperpendicular to forward movement (typically in a directionperpendicular to ground, a road, or a floor). As used herein, power isan integral of filtered (and preferably rectified) acceleration oversome preselected time interval, typically greater than about ½ second.As used herein, impact is an integral of filtered (and preferablyrectified) acceleration over a time interval less than about ½ second.Impact is often defined as immediately following an “airtime” event(i.e., the “thump” of a landing).

In one aspect, the MMD continuously relays a movement metric bycontinuous transmission of data from the detector to a RR. In this way,a MMD attached to a person may beneficially track movement, in realtime, of that person by recombination of the movement metrics at aremote computer. In one aspect, multiple MMDs attached to a personquantify movement of a plurality of body parts or movements, for exampleto assist in athletic training (e.g., for boxing or karate). In anotheraspect, multiple MMDs attached to an object quantify movement of aplurality of object parts or movements, for example to monitor or assessdifferent components or sensitive parts of an object. For example,multiple MMDs can be attached to an expensive medical device to monitorvarious critical components during shipment; when the device arrives atthe customer, these MMDs are interrogated to determine whether any ofthe critical components experienced undesirable conditions—e.g., a highimpact or temperature or humidity.

By way of background for moisture sensing, the following U.S. patentsare incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,815; U.S. Pat.No. 5,546,974; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,078,056.

By way of background for humidity sensing, the following U.S. patentsare incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,374; U.S. Pat.No. 5,546,974; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,078,056.

By way of background for temperature sensing, the following U.S. patentsare incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,089; U.S. Pat.No. 4,210,024; U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,865; U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,836; andU.S. Pat. No. 4,955,980.

In accord with further aspects of the invention, the MMD measures one ormore of the following environmental metrics: temperature, humidity,moisture, altitude and pressure. These environmental metrics arecombined into the MMD with a detector that facilitates the monitoring ofmovement metrics such as described above. For temperature, the detectorof one aspect is a temperature sensor such as a thermocouple orthermister. For altitude, the detector of one aspect is an altimeter.For pressure, the detector of one aspect is a pressure sensor such as asurface mount semiconductor element made by SENSYM.

In accord with one aspect, a MMD monitors one or more movement metricsfor “events,” where data is acquired that exceeds some predeterminedthreshold or value. By way of example, in one aspect the detector is atriaxial accelerometer and the processor coupled to the accelerometerseeks to determine impact events that exceed a threshold, in any or allof three axes. In another aspect, a single axis accelerometer is used asthe detector and a single axis is monitored for an impact event. Inanother example, the detector and processor collectively monitor anddetect spin events, where for example it is determined that the devicerotated more than 360 degrees in ½ second or less (an exemplary “event”threshold). In still another aspect, the detector is a force detectorand the processor and detector collectively determine a change of weightof an object resting on the MMD over some preselected time period. Inone specific object, the invention provides for a MMD to monitor humanweight to report that weight, on demand, to individuals. Preferably,such a MMD is in a shoe.

In one aspect, the movement metric of rotation is measured by a MMD witha Hall effect detector. Specifically, one aspect of the Hall effectdetector with a MMD of the invention monitors when the MMD is inverted.In one other aspect, the Hall effect detector is used with the processorto determine when an object is inverted or rotated through about 180degrees. An “event” detected by this aspect can for example be one ormore inversions of the MMD of about 180 degrees.

In still another aspect, the MMD has a MRE as the detector, and the MMDmeasures spin or rotation experienced by the MRE.

In one aspect, a plurality of MMDs are collated and packaged in a singlecontainer, preferably similar to the cans or boxes containing adhesivebandages. Preferably, in another aspect, MMDs of the invention aresimilarly programmed within the container. By way of example, onecontainer carries 100 MMDs that each respond to an event of “10 g's.” Inanother example, another container carries 200 MMDs that respond to anevent of “100 g's.” Packages of MMDs can be in any suitable number Ngreater than or equal to two; typically however MMDs are packagedtogether in groups of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 500 or 1000. A varietypack of MMDs are also provided, in another aspect, for examplecontaining ten 5 g MMDs, ten 10 g MMDs, ten 15 g MMDs, ten 20 g MMDs,ten 25 g MMDs, ten 30 g MMDs, ten 35 g MMDs, ten 40 g MMDs, ten 45g′MMDs, and ten 50 g MMDs. Another variety package can for exampleinclude groups of MMDs spaced at 1 g or 10 g intervals.

In one preferred aspect, the MMD of the invention includes internalmemory. Preferably the memory is within the processor or ASIC. Eventdata is stored in the memory, in accord with one aspect, untiltransmitted off-board. In this way, the MMD monitors and stores eventdata (e.g., an “event” occurrence where the MMD experiences 10′ gs).Preferably, the event data is time tagged with data from a real-timeclock; and thus a real time clock is included with the MMD (or madeintegral with the processor or ASIC). A crystal or other clockingmechanism may also be used.

In one aspect, the MMD is programmed with a time at the initial time ofuse (i.e., when the device is powered). In one other aspect, the MMD ispackaged with power so that real time clock data is available when theproduct is used. In this aspect, therefore, a container of MMDs willtypically have a “stale” date when the MMD's battery power is no longerusable. In one aspect, the MMD has a replaceable battery port so that auser can replace the battery.

The invention has certain advantages. A MMD of the invention canpractically attach to almost anything to obtain movement information. Byway of example, a MMD of the invention can attach to furniture tomonitor shipping of furniture. If the furniture were dropped, an impactevent occurs and is recorded within the MMD, or transmitted wirelessly,with an associated time tag. When the furniture is damaged prior todelivery, a reader (e.g., an ID) reads the MMD to determine when thedamage occurred—leading to the responsible party who may then have topay for the damage. In a further example, if furniture is rated to “10g's”, a MMD (programmed and enabled to detect 10 g events) is attachedto the furniture when leaving the factory, so that any 10 g event beforedelivery is recorded and time-stamped, again leading to a responsibleparty. Similarly, in other aspects, devices of the invention areattached to packages (e.g., FED EX or UPS shipments) to monitorhandling. By way of example, fragile objects may be rated to 5 g; and anappropriately programmed MMD of the invention is attached to theshipment to record and time-tag 5 g events. In another aspect, fragileobjects that should be maintained at a particular orientation (i.e.,packages shipped within “This Side Up” instructions) are monitored by aMMD detecting inversions of about 180 degrees, such as through a HallEffect detector.

In one aspect, the MMD includes a tamper proof detector that ensures theMMD is not removed or tampered with once applied to an object or person,until an authorized person removes the MMD. In one aspect, the tamperproof detector is a piezoelectric strip coupled into or with theadhesive strip. Once the MMD is powered and applied to an object orperson, a quiescent period ensues and the MMD continually monitors thetamper proof detector (in addition to the event detector) to recordtampering activity. In the case of the piezoelectric strip, removal ofthe MMD from a person or object after the quiescent period provides arelatively large voltage spike, indicating removal. That spike isrecorded and time stamped. If there are more than one such records(i.e., one record represents the final removal), then tampering may haveoccurred. Since date and time are tagged with the event data, the tampertime is determined, leading to identify the tampering person (i.e., theperson responsible for the object when the tamper time was tagged).

In one aspect, the invention provides an ID in the form of a cell phone.Nearly one in three Americans use a cell phone. According to theteachings of the invention, data movement “metrics” are read from a MMDthrough the cell phone. Preferably, data communicated from the MMD tothe cell phone is made only through secure communications protocols sothat only authorized cell phones can access the MMD. In one specificaspect, MMD events are communicated to a cell phone or cellular network,and from that point are relayed to persons or additional computernetworks for use at a remote location.

Miniature tension or compression load cells are used in certain aspectsof the invention. By way of example, a MMD incorporating such cells areused in measuring and monitoring tension and/or compression betweenabout fifty grams and 1000 lbs, depending upon the application. In oneaspect, the MMD generates a warning signal when the load cell exceeds apreselected threshold.

In accord with the invention, several advantages are apparent. Thefollowing lists some of the non-limiting movement events monitored andcaptured by select MMDs of the invention, in accord to varied aspects ofthe invention:

-   -   impact or “g's” experienced by the MMD that exceed a        predetermined threshold, e.g., 10 or 50 g's    -   accumulated or integrated rectified acceleration experienced by        the MMD over a predetermined time interval    -   rotations experienced by the MMD in increments of 90 degrees,        such as 90, 180, 270, 360 degrees, or multiples thereof    -   frequency-filtered, rectified, and low-pass filtered        acceleration detecting impact events, by the MMD, exceeding        thresholds such as 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 and 100 g's, preferably        after an airtime event    -   rotational velocities experienced by the MMD exceeding some        preselected “degrees per second” or “revolutions per minute”        threshold    -   airtime events experienced by the MMD exceeding ¼, ⅓, or ½        second, or multiples thereof    -   speed events experienced by the MMD exceeding miles per hour        thresholds of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 mph (those skilled in the        art should appreciate that other “speed” units can be used,        e.g., km/hour, m/s or cm/s)    -   drop distance events experienced by the MMD exceeding set        distances such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 feet (or        inches, centimeters or meters)    -   altitude variation events between maximum and minimum values        over a daily time interval    -   jerk variations proportional to V^(n) or ∂^(n)V/∂^(n)t, where V        is velocity in a direction perpendicular to movement along a        surface (e.g., ground), where n is some integer greater than or        equal to 2, and where t is time

The above movement events may be combined for a variety of metricsuseful to users of the invention. For example, in one aspect, altitudevariations are used to accurately gauge caloric burn through thevariations. Such information is particularly useful for mountain bikersand in mountain sports.

The invention of one aspect provides a quantizing accelerometer thatdetects one or more specific g-levels in a manner particularly useful asa detector in a MMD of the invention.

There are thus several applications of the invention, including themonitoring of movement for people, patients, packages, athletes,competitors, shipments, furniture, athletes in training (e.g., karate),and industrial robotics. The benefits derived by such monitoring can beused by insurance companies and manufacturers, which, for example,insure shipments and packages for safe delivery to purchasers. Mediabroadcasters, including Internet content providers, can also benefit byaugmenting information associated with a sporting event (e.g., airtimeof a snowboarder communicated in real time to the Internet, impact of afootball or soccer ball during a game, boxing glove strike force duringa fight, tennis racquet strike force during a match). The MMD of theinvention is small, and may be attached to practically any object—soease of use is clearly another advantage. By way of example, an MMD canbe mounted to the helmet or body armor of each football player ormotocross competitor to monitor movement and jerk of the athlete. Insuch applications, data from the MMD preferably transmits event data inreal time to a RR in the form of a network, so that MMD data associatedwith each competitor is available for broadcast to a scoreboard, TV orthe Internet. Other advantages should be apparent in the descriptionwithin.

Event Monitoring Devices

The invention also provides certain sensors and devices used to monitorand report temperature, humidity, chemicals, heart rate, pulse,pressure, stress, weight, environmental factors and hazardousconditions.

In one aspect, the invention provides a event monitor device (“EMD”)including an adhesive strip, a processor, a detector, and acommunications port. In another aspect, two or more of the processor,port and detector are combined in a single application specificintegrated circuit (“ASIC”). In one aspect the detector is an humidityor temperature sensor, and preferably that detector is embedded intosilicon within the ASIC. In other aspects, the detector is one of an EKGsensing device, weight-sensing detector, and chemical detector. In stillanother aspect, the EMD includes a battery. In the preferred aspect ofthe invention, the EMD and battery are packaged in a protective wrapper.Preferably, the battery is packaged with the EMD in such a way that itdoes not “power” the EMD until the wrapper is removed. Preferably, theEMD includes a real time clock so that the EMD tags “events” with timeand/or date information.

In yet another aspect, the EMD with adhesive strip collectively take aform similar to an adhesive bandage. More particularly, the adhesivestrip of the invention is preferably like or similar to the adhesive ofthe adhesive bandage; and the processor is embedded with the strip muchthe way the cotton is with the adhesive bandage. Preferably, a softmaterial (e.g., cotton or cloth) is included to surround the processorso as to (a) soften contact of rigid EMD components with a person and/or(b) protect the processor (and/or other components of the EMD). In stillanother aspect, the battery is also coupled with the soft material. Instill another aspect, the processor and other elements of the EMD arecombined into a single system-on-chip integrated circuit. A protectivecover may surround the chip to protect the EMD from breakage.

In one aspect, one EMD of the invention takes a form similar to a smartlabel, with an adhesive substantially disposed with the label, e.g., onone side of the label. The adhesive strip of this EMD includes all orpart of the back of the label with adhesive or glue permittingattachment of the label to other objects (or to a person).

In still another aspect, the EMD of the invention takes the form of arigid monolithic that attaches to objects through one of knowntechniques. In this aspect, the device has a processor, communicationsport, and detector. A battery is typically included with the EMD. TheEMD is attached to objects or persons by one of several techniques,including by glue or mechanical attachment (e.g., a pin or clip). An EMDof this aspect can for example exist in the form of a credit card,wherein the communications port is either a contact transponder or acontactless transponder. The EMD of one aspect includes a magneticelement that facilitates easily attaching the EMD to metal objects.

In operation, the EMD of the invention is typically interrogated by anID. The EMD is responsive to the ID to communicate information withinthe EMD and, preferably, over secure communications protocols. By way ofexample, one EMD of the invention releases internal data only to an IDwith the correct passwords and/or data protocols. The ID can take manyforms, including a cell phone or other electronic device (e.g., a MP3player, pager, watch, or PDA) providing communications with the EMDtransmitter

However, in another aspect, the EMD communicates externally to a RR. TheRR listens for data from the EMD and collects that data for subsequentrelay or use. In one aspect, the EMD's communications port is a one-waytransmitter. Preferably, the EMD communicates data from the EMD to theRR either (a) upon the occurrence of an “event” or (b) in repeated timeintervals, e.g., once every minute or more. Alternatively, the EMD'scommunication port is a transceiver that handshakes with the RR tocommunicate data from the EMD to the RR. Accordingly, the EMD respondsto data requests from the RR, in this aspect. In still another aspect,the RR radiates the EMD with transponder frequencies; and the EMD“reflects” the data to the RR.

Accordingly, the communications port of one EMD is a transponderresponsive to one or more frequencies to relay data back to an ID. Byway of example, these frequencies can be one of 125 kHz and 13.56 MHz,the frequencies common with “contactless” RFID tags known in the art. Inother aspects, communications frequencies are used with emission powerand frequencies that fall within the permissible “unlicensed” emissionspectrum of part 15 of FCC regulations, Title 47 of the Code of FederalRegulations. In particular, one desirable feature of the invention is toemit low power, to conserve battery power and to facilitate use of theEMD in various environments; and therefore an ID is placed close to theEMD to read the data. In other words, in one aspect, wirelesscommunications from the EMD to the ID occurs over a short distance of afraction of an inch to no more than a few feet. By way of example, asdescribed herein, one ID of the invention takes the form of a cellphone, which communicates with the EMD via one or more securecommunications techniques. Data acquired from the EMD is thencommunicated through cellular networks, if desired, to relay EMD data toend-users. Or, in another aspect, or sensitive or directional antenna isused to increase the distance to detect data of the EMD.

In another aspect, the communications port is an infrared communicationsport. Such a port, in one aspect, communicates with the cell phone insecure communication protocols. In other aspects, an ID communicateswith the infrared port to obtain the data within the EMD.

In yet another aspect, the communications port includes a transceiver.The EMD listens for interrogating signals from the RR and, in turn,relays “event” data from the EMD to the RR. Alternatively, the EMDrelays “event” data at set time intervals or when the EMD accumulatesdata close to an internal storage limit. In one aspect, thereby, the EMDinclude internal memory; and the EMD stores one or more “event” data,preferably with time-tag information, in the memory. When the memory isnearly full, the EMD transmits the stored data wirelessly to a RR.Alternatively, stored data is transmitted to an IR when interrogated. Ina third alternative, the EMD transmits stored data at set intervals,e.g., once per ½ hour or once per hour, to relay stored data to a RR.Other transmission protocols can be used without departing from thescope of the invention.

In still another aspect, data from the EMD is relayed to an ID through“contact” communication between the ID and the communications port. Inone aspect, the EMD includes a small conductive plate (e.g., a goldplate) that contacts with the ID to facilitate data transfer. Smartcards from the manufacturer GEMPLUS may be used in such aspects of theinvention.

In one aspect, the EMD includes a printed circuit board “PCB”). Abattery—e.g., a 2032 or 1025 Lithium coin cell—is also included, inanother aspect of the invention. To make the device small, the PCBpreferably has multilayers—and two of the internal layers have asubstantial area of conducting material forming two terminals for thebattery. Specifically, the PCB is pried apart at one edge, between theterminals, and the battery is inserted within the PCB making contact andproviding voltage to the device. This advantageously removes then needfor a separate and weighty battery holder. Flex circuit boards may alsobe used.

In another aspect, the PCB has first and second terminals on either sideof the PCB, and a first side of the battery couples to the firstterminal, while a clip connects the second side of the battery to thesecond terminal, making the powered connection. This aspectadvantageously removes then need for a separate and weighty batteryholder.

In still another aspect, a terminal is imprinted on one side of the PCB,and a first side of the battery couples to that terminal. A conductiveforce terminal connects to the PCB and the second side of the batter,forming a circuit between the battery and the PCB.

In accord with one aspect of the invention, the communications port isone of a transponder (including a smart tag or RFID tag), transceiver,or one-way transmitter. In other aspects, data from the EMD iscommunicated off-board (i.e., away from the EMD) by one of severaltechniques, including: streaming the data continuously off-board to geta real-time signature of data experienced by the EMD; transmissiontriggered by the occurrence of an “event” as defined herein;transmission triggered by interrogation, such as interrogation by an IDwith a transponder; transmission staggered in “bursts” or “batches,”such as when internal storage memory is full; and transmission atpredetermined intervals of time, such as every minute or hour.

In one preferred aspect of the invention, the above-described EMDs arepackaged like an adhesive bandage. Specifically, in one aspect, one ormore protective strips rest over the adhesive portion of the device soas to protect the adhesive until the protective strips are removed. Thestrips are substantially stick-free so that they are easily removed fromthe adhesive prior to use. In another aspect, a “wrapper” is used tosurround the EMD; the wrapper being similar to existing wrappers ofadhesive bandages. In accord with one preferred aspect, the batteryelectrically couples with the electronics of the EMD when the wrapper isopened and/or when the protective strips are removed. In this way, theEMD can be “single use” with the battery energizing the electronics onlywhen the EMD is opened and applied to an object or person; the batterypower being conserved prior to use by a decoupling element associatedwith the wrapper or protective strips. Those skilled in the art shouldappreciate that other techniques can be used without departing from thescope of the invention.

In one aspect, the EMD continuously relays an environmental metric(e.g., temperature, humidity, or chemical content) by continuoustransmission of data from the detector to a RR. In this way, a EMDattached to a person or object may beneficially track conditions, inreal time, of that person or object by recombination of theenvironmental metrics at a remote computer. In one aspect, multiple EMDsattached to a person or object quantify data for a plurality oflocations, for example to monitor sub-parts of an object or person.

In accord with further aspects of the invention, the EMD measures one ormore of the following environmental metrics: temperature, humidity,moisture, altitude and pressure. For temperature, the detector of oneaspect is a temperature sensor such as a thermocouple or thermister. Foraltitude, the detector of one aspect is an altimeter. For pressure, thedetector of one aspect is a pressure sensor such as a surface mountsemiconductor element made by SENSYM.

In accord with one aspect, an EMD monitors one or more metrics for“events,” where data is acquired that exceeds some predeterminedthreshold or value. By way of example, in one aspect the detector is atemperature sensor and the processor coupled to the temperature sensorseeks to determine temperature events that exceed a threshold. Inanother aspect, a humidity sensor is used as the detector and thissensor is monitored for a humidity event (e.g., did the EMD experience98% humidity conditions). In another example, the detector and processorcollectively monitor stress events, where for example it is determinedthat the EMD attached to a human senses increased heart rate of over 180beats per minute (an exemplary “event” threshold). In still anotheraspect, the detector is a chemical (or pH) detector and the processorand detector collectively determine a change of chemical composition ofan object connected with the EMD over some preselected time period.

In one aspect, a plurality of EMDs are collated and packaged in a singlecontainer, preferably similar to the cans or boxes containing adhesivebandages. Preferably, in another aspect, EMDs of the invention aresimilarly programmed within the container. By way of example, onecontainer carries 100 EMDs that each respond to an event of “5 degrees”variation from some reference temperature. In another example, anothercontainer carries 200 EMDs that respond to an event of “90 degrees”change absolute. Temperature sensors may be programmed to determineactual temperatures, e.g., 65 degrees, or changes in temperature fromsome reference point, e.g., 10 degrees from reference.

Packages of EMDs can be in any suitable number N greater than or equalto two; typically however EMDs are packaged together in groups of 50,100, 150, 200, 250, 500 or 1000.

In one preferred aspect, the EMD of the invention includes internalmemory. Preferably the memory is within the processor or ASIC. Eventdata is stored in the memory, in accord with one aspect, untiltransmitted off-board. In this way, the EMD monitors and stores eventdata (e.g., an “event” occurrence where the EMD experiences 100 degreetemperatures). Preferably, the event data is time tagged with data froma real-time clock; and thus a real time clock is included with the EMD(or made integral with the processor or ASIC). In one aspect, the EMD isprogrammed with a time at the initial time of use (i.e., when the deviceis powered). In one other aspect, the EMD is packaged with power so thatreal time clock data is available when the product is used. In thisaspect, therefore, a container of EMDs will typically have a “stale”date when the EMD's battery power is no longer usable. In one aspect,the EMD has a replaceable battery port so that a user can replace thebattery.

The invention has certain advantages. An EMD of the invention canpractically attach to almost anything to obtain event information. Byway of example, an EMD of the invention can attach to patients to trackhealth and conditions in real time and with remote monitoringcapability.

In one aspect, the EMD includes a tamper proof detector that ensures theEMD is not removed or tampered with once applied to an object or person,until an authorized person removes the EMD. In one aspect, the tamperproof detector is a piezoelectric strip coupled into or with theadhesive strip. Once the EMD is powered and applied to an object orperson, a quiescent period ensues and the EMD continually monitors thetamper proof detector (in addition to the event detector) to recordtampering activity. In the case of the piezoelectric strip, removal ofthe EMD from a person or object after the quiescent period provides arelatively large voltage spike, indicating removal. That spike isrecorded and time stamped. If there are more than one such records(i.e., one record represents the final removal), then tampering may haveoccurred. Since date and time are tagged with the event data, the tampertime is determined, leading to identify the tampering person (i.e., theperson responsible for the object when the tamper time was tagged).

In one aspect, the invention provides an ID in the form of a cell phone.Nearly one in three Americans use a cell phone. According to theteachings of the invention, data event “metrics” are read from an EMDthrough the cell phone. Preferably, data communicated from the EMD tothe cell phone is made only through secure communications protocols sothat only authorized cell phones can access the EMD. In one specificaspect, EMD events are communicated to a cell phone or cellular network,and from that point are relayed to persons or additional computernetworks for use at a remote location.

In accord with the invention, several advantages are apparent. Thefollowing lists some of the non-limiting events monitored and capturedby select EMDs of the invention, in accord to varied aspects of theinvention:

absolute or relative temperatures

heart rate or other fitness characteristics

stress characteristics

humidity or relative humidity

fitness or patient health characteristics

The invention will next be described in connection with preferredembodiments. In addition to those described above, certain advantagesshould be apparent in the description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a monitor device (e.g., a “MMD” or “EMD”) and receiver (IDor RR) constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 1A shows an alternative monitor device of the invention, and indata communication with a receiver via “contact” transponder technology;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of one monitor device of the invention andformed with an adhesive strip and padding to soften physical connectionto persons or objects;

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional top view of the monitor device and stripof FIG. 2;

FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional top view of one monitor device of theinvention integrated with (a) a battery and (b) protective non-stickstrips over the adhesive strip, all enclosed within a protectivewrapper;

FIG. 2C shows a front view of the monitor device of FIG. 2B, without aprotective wrapper;

FIG. 2D shows an alternative monitor device of the invention andintegrated directly with the adhesive strip to ensure detector contact;

FIG. 2E shows one monitor device of the invention used to detect and/ortrack heart rate, in accord with the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view (not to scale) of one monitor deviceof the invention for integrating a battery with a printed circuit board;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional top view of part of the monitor device ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 3B shows an operational view of the monitor device of FIG. 3, witha battery inserted between layers of the printed circuit board;

FIG. 3C shows a cross-sectional view (not to scale) of one monitordevice of the invention for integrating a battery with a printed circuitboard;

FIG. 3D shows an operational view of the monitor device of FIG. 3C, witha battery attached to sides of the underlying printed circuit board;

FIG. 3E shows an operational view of another monitor device of theinvention, with a battery attached to one side of the underlying printedcircuit board;

FIG. 3F shows one battery attachment mechanism, including batteries, foruse with a monitor device of the invention;

FIG. 3G shows the mechanism of FIG. 3F without the batteries;

FIGS. 4 and 4A illustrate one technique for powering a monitor device,in accord with the invention;

FIGS. 5 and 5A illustrate one monitor device integrated within a label,in accord with the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a monolithic monitor device constructed according to theinvention for attachment to an object by way of mechanical attachment;

FIG. 7 shows one monitor device of the invention used to monitor patienthealth characteristics;

FIG. 7A shows a system of the invention used to monitor pulsecharacteristics for patient health, with the device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7B shows an alternative monitor device of the invention used tomonitor respiratory behavior such as with the system of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 illustrates application of a plurality of MMDs, of the invention,to athletes to facilitate training and/or to provide excitement inbroadcast media;

FIG. 8A illustrates real time data acquisition, reconstruction anddisplay for data wirelessly transmitted from the MMDs of FIG. 8;

FIG. 8B illustrates a television display showing data generated inaccord with the teachings of the invention;

FIG. 8C shows a one MMD applied to a human fist in accord with theinvention;

FIG. 9 shows a flow-chart illustrating “event” based and timed sequencedata transmissions between a monitor device and a receiver, in accordwith the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a sensor dispensing canister constructed according to theinvention;

FIG. 10A shows an array of sensors arranged for mounting within thecanister of FIG. 10;

FIG. 10B shows one sensor of the array of sensors of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C shows an interface between one sensor and a base assembly inthe canister of FIG. 10;

FIG. 10D shows an operational disconnect of one sensor from the baseassembly in FIG. 10C;

FIG. 10E schematically illustrates canister electronics and a sensor aspart of the canister of FIG. 10;

FIG. 10F illustrates imparting time-tag information to a sensor througha canister such as in FIG. 10;

FIG. 10G shows one receiver constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 10H shows one receiver in the form of a ski lift ticket constructedaccording to the invention;

FIG. 10I shows one ticket sensor constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 11 schematically shows an electrical logic and process flow chartfor use with determining “airtime” in accord with the invention;

FIG. 12 schematically shows a state machine used in association withdetermining airtime in association with an algorithm such as in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 graphically shows accelerometer data and corresponding processsignals used to determine airtime in accord with preferred embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 14 and FIG. 14A shows a state diagram illustrating one-waytransmission protocols according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates functional blocks for one sensor ofthe invention;

FIG. 16 schematically illustrates functional blocks for one display unitof the invention;

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of one sensor housing constructedaccording to the invention, for use with a sensor such as a monitordevice;

FIG. 18 illustrates a sensor, such as a MMD, within the housing of FIG.17;

FIG. 19 shows a top perspective view of another housing constructedaccording to the invention, for use with a sensor such as a MMD and formounting to a vehicle;

FIG. 20 shows one vehicle and vehicle attachment bracket to which thehousing of FIG. 19 attaches;

FIG. 21 shows another vehicle and vehicle attachment bracket to whichthe housing of FIG. 19 attaches;

FIG. 22 shows a bottom perspective view of the housing of FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 shows a bracket constructed according to the invention and madefor attachment between the housing of FIG. 19 and a vehicle attachmentbracket;

FIG. 24 shows a top element of the housing of FIG. 19;

FIG. 25 shows a bottom element of the housing of FIG. 19;

FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of one housing constructed according tothe invention;

FIG. 27 shows a perspective view of a top portion of the housing of FIG.26;

FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of a bottom portion of the housing ofFIG. 27;

FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of one monitor device constructedaccording to the invention for operational placement within the housingof FIG. 26;

FIG. 30 shows a mounting plate for attaching monitor devices to flatsurfaces in accord with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 31 shows a perspective view of the plate of FIG. 30 with a monitordevice coupled thereto;

FIG. 32 shows an end view of the plate and device of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 shows, in a top view, a low-power, long life accelerometersensor constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 34 shows a cross-sectional view of one portion of the accelerometersensor of FIG. 33, illustrating operation of the moment arm quantifyingg's in accord with the invention;

FIG. 35 shows a circuit illustrating operation of the accelerometersensor of FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 illustrates a runner speedometer system constructed according tothe invention;

FIG. 37 illustrates an alternative runner speedometer system constructedaccording to the invention;

FIG. 38 illustrates data capture and analysis principles for determiningspeed with the system of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 illustrates one sensor for operation with a shoe in aspeedometer system such as described in FIG. 37;

FIG. 40 shows another runner speedometer system of the invention,including a GPS sensor;

FIG. 41 shows a biking work function system constructed according to theinvention;

FIG. 42 shows one race-car monitoring system constructed according tothe invention;

FIG. 43 shows one data capture device for operation with a racecar in arace monitoring system such as shown in FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 shows one crowd data device for operation with spectators in arace monitoring system such as shown in FIG. 42;

FIG. 45 shows one body-armor incorporating a monitor device in accordwith the invention;

FIG. 46 shows one system for measuring rodeo and/or bull riders inaccord with other embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 47 shows a representative television display of a bull and riderconfigured with a system monitoring characteristics of the bull and/ofrider, in accord with the invention;

FIG. 48 shows one EMD of the invention utilizing flex strip as the “PCB”in accord with the invention;

FIG. 49 depicts one computerized gaming system of the invention;

FIG. 50 schematically shows one flow chart implanting game algorithms inaccord with the invention;

FIG. 51 shows one speed detection system for a ski resort in accord withthe invention;

FIG. 52 shows one bar code reader suitable for use in the system of FIG.51;

FIG. 53 shows one monitor device constructed according to the inventionand incorporating a GPS receiver;

FIG. 54 shows a system suitable for use with the device of FIG. 53;

FIG. 55 shows an infant monitoring system constructed according to theinvention;

FIG. 56 schematically shows a flow chart of operational steps used inthe system of FIG. 55;

FIG. 57 shows one MMD of the invention used to gauge patient weight;

FIG. 58 shows a weight monitoring system constructed according to theinvention;

FIG. 59 shows another weight monitoring system of the invention;

FIG. 60 shows a force-sensing resistor suitable for use in the weightmonitoring systems of FIG. 58 and FIG. 59 and in the MMD of FIG. 57;

FIG. 61 shows one weight-sensing device in the form of a shoe or shoeinsert, in accord with the invention;

FIG. 62 illustrates fluid cavities suitable for use in a device of FIG.61;

FIG. 63 shows a wrestling performance monitoring system constructedaccording to the invention;

FIG. 64 shows a representative graphic output from the system of FIG.63;

FIG. 65 shows a surfing event system according to the invention;

FIG. 66 shows a Green Room surfing event system according to theinvention;

FIG. 67 shows a personal item network constructed according to theinvention;

FIG. 68 shows a communications interface between a computer and one ofitems of FIG. 67;

FIG. 69 illustrates electronics for one of the items within the networkof FIG. 67;

FIG. 70 and FIG. 71 show an electronic drink coaster constructedaccording to the invention;

FIG. 72 shows a package management system of the invention; and

FIG. 73 shows a product integrity tracking system of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a monitor device 10 constructed according to the invention.Device 10 can for example operate as a MMD or EMD described above.Device 10 includes a detector 12, processor 14, communications port 16,and battery 18. Preferably, device 10 also includes solid-state memory20. Memory 20 can be integral with processor 14 (or other element ofdevice 10, including port 16), or a stand-alone element within device10. As a MMD, for example, detector 12 senses movement experienced bydevice 10 and generates signals indicative of that movement. Processor12 then processes the signals to extract desired movement metrics, asdescribed herein. Typically, when the movement metrics exceed apredetermined threshold, processor 12 stores data as an “event” withinmemory 20. Events are also preferably tagged with time information,typically date and time, as provided by clock 22.

As an EMD, for example, detector 12 senses temperature experienced bydevice 10 and generates signals indicative of temperature (eitherabsolute, or relative). Processor 12 then processes the signals toextract desired data. Preferably, data such as temperature are timetagged with date and/or time information so that a limited recording ismade of environmental conditions.

Communications port 16 communicates event data from device 10 to areceiver 24 as wireless data 30 a. Port 16 typically performs suchcommunications in response to commands from processor 14. Communicationsport 26 receives wireless data 30 a for use within receiver 24. Ifdesired, communications port 26 can also communicate with port 16 totransmit wireless data 30 b to device 10. In such an embodiment, ports16, 26 are preferably radio-frequency, infrared ormagnetically-inductive transceivers. Alternatively, port 26 is atransmitter that interrogates device 10; and port 16 is a transponderthat reflects event data to receiver 24. In one preferred embodiment,receiver 24 is part of the circuitry and packaging of a cell phone,which relays events (e.g., a movement event) to a remote storagefacility. In other embodiments, receiver 24 is part of the circuitry andpackaging of a MP3 player, pager, watch, or electronic PDA. Receiver 24may connect with headphones (not shown) to provide information to a userand corresponding to “event” data.

Data communication between device 10 and receiver 24 is preferably“secure” so that only a receiver with the correct identification codescan interrogate and access data from device 10. In such a mode, receiver24 is an interrogation device (“ID”); and wireless communications 30 a,30 b between ports 16, 26 can be through one of several electromagneticcommunications spectrums, including radio-frequencies, microwavefrequencies, ultrasound or infrared. However, communications betweendevice 10 and receiver 24 can also be one way, e.g., wireless data 30 afrom device 10 to receiver 24; and in such an embodiment receiver 24preferably understands the communications protocols of data 30 a tocorrectly interpret the data from device 10. Receiver 24 in thisembodiment “listens” for data transmitted from device 10. Receiver 24thus may function as a remote receiver (“RR”) stationed some distance(e.g., tens or hundreds of feet or more) from device 10.

FIG. 1A shows an alternative communication scheme between device 10′ andreceiver 24′. Like numbered items in FIG. 1A have like functions as inFIG. 1; except that in FIG. 1A, ports 16′, 26′ function to transfer datafrom device 10′ to receiver 24′ as a “contact” transponder. Device 10′and receiver 24′ are separate elements, though they appear immediatelyadjacent. A conductive pad 17 with port 16′ facilitates communicationwith port 26′ via its conductive pad 19. Accordingly, event data fromdevice 10′ transfers data to receiver 24′ without “wireless” data 30(FIG. 1), but rather through the circuit formed between device 10′ andreceiver 24′ when contact is made between pads 17, 19, as shown in FIG.1A.

A monitor device 10, 10′ of the invention preferably includes anadhesive strip that provides for convenient attachment of the device toan object or person. As shown in FIG. 2, one such device 10″ is showncoupled to adhesive strip 32 for just this purpose. Strip 32 ispreferably flexible so as to bend and attach device 10″ to nearly anysurface shape. Strip 32 includes an adhesive 34 that bonds strip 32 to aperson or object, such that device 10″ attaches to that person or objectin a substantially fixed location. FIG. 2 also shows that device 10″preferably resides adjacent to padding 36, to protect device 10″ fromphysical harm and to provide a cushion interface between device 10″ anda person or object. Padding 36 can for example be cotton or other softmaterial; and padding 36 can be made from soft material typically foundwith adhesive bandages of the prior art. Device 10″ preferably includesa protective housing 11 (FIG. 2A) surrounding integrated circuits toprotect the circuits from breakage.

FIG. 2A shows a top cross-sectional view of monitor device 10″ and strip32. As illustrated, strip 32 is a flexible such that it can conform to asurface (e.g., curved surface 37) for attachment thereto. Adhesive 34 isshown covering substantially all of the back of strip 32 to provide forcomplete attachment to surface 37. Though padding 36 is not required, itpreferably encapsulates device 10″ to provide for optimum protection fordevice 10″ when attached to surface 37. Note that padding 36 alsoprotects surface 37 from scratching by any rigid elements of device 10″(e.g., battery 18, FIG. 1). Those skilled in the art should appreciatethat padding 36 can be formed partially about device 10″ to achievesimilar goals and without departing from the scope of the invention; forexample, padding 36 can reside adjacent only one side of device 10″.

Those skilled in the art should appreciate that two or more of elements14, 16, 18, 22 (FIG. 1) can be, and preferably are, integrated within anASIC. Further, in one preferred embodiment, the detector 12 is alsointegrated within the ASIC as a solid-state accelerometer (e.g., usingMEM technology). However, detector 12 can be a stand-alone element suchas a piezoelectric strip, strain gauge, force-sensing resistor, weightsensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, chemical sensor, or heartrate detector.

FIG. 2B shows one monitor device 10 z, with battery 18 z, coupled withina protective wrapper 27. Protective non-stick strips 29 are also shownto cover adhesive (e.g., adhesive 34, FIG. 2) on adhesive strips 32 zuntil device 10 z is operatively used and applied to a person or object.Preferably, wrapper 27 and non-stick strips 29 are similar in design tothe wrapper and strips of a common adhesive bandage. Accordingly, usersof device 10 z intuitively know how to open and attach device 10 z to anobject or surface (e.g., surface 37, FIG. 2A)—by opening wrapper 27,removing device 10 z by pulling adhesive strip 32 z from wrapper 27, andthen removing non-stick strips 29 so that adhesive strips 32 z areexposed for application to the object or surface. FIG. 2C illustratesdevice 10 z in a back view with wrapper 27 removed, showing fullerdetail of non-stick strips 29 covering and protecting the underlyingadhesive (e.g., adhesive 34, FIG. 2) on strip 32 z.

A device 10 can also integrate directly with the adhesive strip, asshown in FIG. 2D. Specifically, device 10″ of FIG. 2D couples directlywith adhesive strip 32′. In addition, there is no padding with device10″—as in certain circumstances it is desirable to have optimal fixationbetween device 10″ and strip 32′. A housing 11′ preferably protectsdevice 10″ from breakage. In one example, when the detector of device10″ is an accelerometer, direct coupling between device 10″ and strip32′ provides for more accurate data capture of accelerations of theobject to which strip 32′ is adhered. As such, adhesive 34′ preferablyextends across the whole width of strip 32′, as shown, such that device10″ is tightly coupled to the object adhered to by strip 32′.

FIG. 2E shows one heart-rate monitor 10 w constructed according to theinvention. Like device 10, 10″, device 10 w preferably couples directlywith an adhesive strip 32 w with adhesive 34 w. Monitor 10 w includes aheart rate detector 12 w that may for example detect EKG signals. By wayof background, the following heart rate monitoring patents areincorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,733; U.S. Pat. No.5,243,993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,119; U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,104; U.S. Pat.No. 6,018,677; U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,388; U.S. Pat. No. 4,195,642; andU.S. Pat. No. 4,248,244. Two electrodes 15 electrically coupled todetector 12 w with monitor 10 w via conductive paths 13. Electrodes ′5couple with human skin when adhesive strip 32 w is applied to the skinsuch that electro-magnetic pulses from the heart are detected bydetector 12 w. By way of example, detector 12 w of one embodimentdetects potential differences between electrodes 15 to determine heartrate. Once heart rate is detected, information is passed to othersections to process and/or retransmit the data as wireless data 17 to aremote receiver. For example, data from detector 12 w may be transmittedto processor and/or communications port 14 w, 16 w; from there, data maybe relayed off-board. In one embodiment, wireless data 17 is a signalindicative of the existence of heart rate—so that monitor 10 w may beused in patient safety to warn of patient heart failure (i.e., theabsence of a heart rate may mean that a patient went into cardiacarrest). In another embodiment, wireless data 17 is a signal indicativeof actual heart rate, e.g., 100 beats per minute, such that monitor 10 wmay be used in fitness applications. Monitor 10 w thus provides analternative to “strap” heart rate monitors; users of the invention stickon monitor 10 w via adhesive strip 32 w to monitor heart rate in realtime. Data 17 may be captured by a receiver such as a watch to displaythe data to the wearing user. Monitor 10 w can also be used in patientmonitoring applications, such as in hospitals, so that patient health ismonitored remotely and efficiently. By way of example, a monitor 10 wmay be attached to each critical care patient so that a facility (e.g.,a hospital) can monitor each patient at a single monitoring location(i.e., at the location receiving signals 17).

As an alternative heart rate monitor, device 10 of FIG. 1 has a detectorin the form of a microphone. Processor 12 then processes microphonedetector data to “listen” for breathing sounds to report breathing—ornot breathing—as a health metric.

The invention also provides for efficiently integrating battery 18 witha monitor device. FIG. 3 illustrates one technique, wherein the monitordevice (e.g., device 10) includes a printed circuit board (“PCB”) 40that forms the back-plane forming the electrical interconnectivity withelements 42 (elements 42 can for example be any of items 12, 14, 16, 20,22, FIG. 1). PCB 40 of FIG. 3 is a multi-layer board, as illustrated bylayer line 44. Between two layers 46 a, 46 b, PCB 40 is manufacturedwith two opposing terminals 48 a, 48 b. Terminals 48 a, 48 b can forexample be copper tracks in PCB 40, or copper with gold flash tofacilitate good electrical connection. FIG. 3A shows a top view of oneterminal 48 a with layer 46 a, illustrating that terminal 48 a istypically larger than other tracks 50 within PCB 40. Accordingly,terminal 48 a is large enough to form good electrical connection with abattery inserted between layers 46, such as shown in FIG. 3B.Specifically, FIG. 3B shows PCB 40 separated between layers 46, and abattery 52 inserted therebetween, to make powered connection to PCB 40and its elements 42. For purposes of clarity, only part of PCB 40 isshown in FIG. 3B, and none of elements 42 are shown. Layers 46 a, 46 bmay separated by prying layers 46 apart. Battery 52 can for example be aLi coin cell battery known in the art.

FIG. 3C shows another PCB 40′ for use with a monitor device of theinvention; except, in FIG. 3C, terminals 48 a′, 48 b′ are on opposingsides of PCB 40′, as shown. PCB 40′ can be a single layer board, ormulti-layer board. Batteries 52′ are coupled to PCB 40′ as shown in FIG.3D; and held to PCB 40′ by end clip 54. FIG. 3D illustrates clip 54 as astand-alone element 54-A; and alternatively as element 54-B holdingbatteries 52′ in place to PCB 40′. End clip 54 slides over PCB 40′ andbatteries 52′ as illustrated by arrow 56. End clip 54 is preferablyconductive to complete the circuit to power PCB 40′ (at a contact pointwith PCB 40′) and its elements 42 for use as monitor device.

Battery attachment to PCB 40″ can also be made as in FIG. 3E, wherebattery (or batteries) 52″ is attached to one side of PCB 40″. To makeoverall circuit connectivity, battery 52″ connects to terminal 48 a″,and end clip 54′ makes connection with terminal 48 b″, as shown. Acontact point with PCB 40″ can be made to complete desired circuitfunctions. End clip 54 is thus preferably conductive to complete thecircuit to power PCB 40″ and its elements 42 for use as a monitordevice.

The battery integrations with PCBs of FIGS. 3D and 3E provide for simpleand secure ways to mount batteries 52 within a package. Specifically, ahousing 56 made to surround PCB 40 abuts end clip 54 and PCB 40, asshown, to secure the monitor device for use in varied environments, andas a small package. Housing configurations are shown and described ingreater detail below.

FIG. 3F shows another PCB 60 for use with a monitor device of theinvention. A battery 62 couples to PCB 60, as shown, and a connectingelement 64 completes the circuit between battery 62 and PCB 60 to powerthe monitor device. Preferably, element 64 is tensioned to help securebattery 62 to PCB 60. FIG. 3G shows PCB 60 and element 64 coupledtogether and without battery 62. A terminal 66 (similar to terminals 48)is also shown in FIG. 3G to contact with one side of battery 62.

FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, not toscale, where packaging associated with a monitor device “powers” thedevice upon removal of the packaging. Specifically, in FIG. 4, onemonitor device 70, with adhesive strips 72, is shown with a protectivewrapper 74 and non-stick strips 76. One non-stick strip 76 a has anextension 77 that electrically separates device 70 and a battery 78 soas to prevent electrical contact therebetween. Non-stick strip 76 a ispreferably thin, such as paper coated with non-stick material. Oncestrip 76 a is removed by a user, connecting element 80 forces battery 78to contact monitor device 70, thereby powering the device. In this way,battery power is conserved until monitor device 70 is usedoperationally. Element 80 can for example take the form of element 64,FIG. 3G. FIG. 4A shows monitor device 70 with wrapper 74 and non-stickstrips 76 removed; as such, element 80 forces battery 78 to device 70 tomake electrical contact therewith, powering device 70. Those skilled inthe art should appreciate that changes can be made within the abovedescription without departing from the scope of the invention, includinga monitor device with a single non-stick strip (instead of two) that hasan extension to decouple the battery from device 70 until the strip isremoved. Alternatively, the wrapper can couple with the extension toprovide the same feature; so that when the wrapper is removed, themonitor device is powered.

FIG. 5 shows a monitor device 82 formed within a label 84. Instead ofadhesive strips, device 82 is disposed within label 84 for attachment,as above, to objects and persons. Label 84 has an adhesive 86 over oneside, and preferably a non-stick strip 88 covering adhesive 86 untilremoved. For purposes of illustration, strip 88 is not shown in contactwith adhesive 86, though in fact adhesive 86 is sandwiched in contactbetween strip 88 and label 84. Device 82 and label 84 provide analternative to the monitor devices with adhesive strips described above,though with many of the advantages. FIG. 5A shows a front view of device82, with adhesive 86 covering the one side of label 84, and with strip88 shown transparently in covering adhesive 86 until removed.

FIG. 6 shows a monolithic monitor device 90 constructed according to theinvention. A rigid outer housing 92 surrounds PCB 94 and internalelements 96 (e.g., elements 10-22, FIG. 1), which provide functionalityfor device 90. A magnetic element 98 couples with device 90 so thatdevice 90 is easily attached to metal objects 100. Accordingly, device90 is easily attached to, or removed from, object 100. Those skilled inthe art should appreciate that alternative mechanical attachments arepossible to couple device 90 to object 100, including a mechanical pinor clip.

The MMDs of the invention operates to detect movement “metrics.” Thesemetrics include, for example, airtime, speed, power, impact, dropdistance, jarring and spin; typically one MMD detects one movementmetric, though more than one metric can be simultaneously detected by agiven MMD, if desired (potentially employing multiple detectors). TheMMD detector is chosen to provide signals from which the processor caninterpret and determine the desired metric. For example, to detectairtime, the detector is typically one of an accelerometer orpiezoelectric strip that detects vibration of an object to which the MMDis attached. Furthermore, the MMD of the invention preferably monitorsthe desired metric until the metric passes some threshold, at which timethat metric is tagged with time and date information, and stored ortransmitted off-board. If the MMD operates within a single day, onlytime information is typically tagged to the metric.

By way of example, if the detector is an accelerometer and the MMD isdesigned to monitor “impact” (e.g., acceleration events that are lessthan about ½ second)—and yet impact data is not considered interestingunless the MMD experiences an impact exceeding 50 g's—the preferred MMDused to accomplish this task would continuously monitor impact and tagonly those impact events that exceed 50 g's. The “event” in this exampleis thus a “50 g event.” Such a MMD is for example useful when attachedto furniture, or a package, in monitoring shipments for rough treatment.The MMD might for example record a 50 g event associated with furnitureshipped on Oct. 1, 2000, from a manufacturer in California, anddelivered on Oct. 10, 2000 to a store in Massachusetts. If an eventstored in MMD memory indicates that on Oct. 5, 2000, at 2:30 pm, thefurniture was clearly dropped, responsibility for any damages can beassessed to the party responsible for the furniture at that time.Accuracy of the time tag information can be days, hours, minutes andeven seconds, depending on desired resolution and other practicalities.

Accordingly, data from such a MMD is preferably stored in internalmemory (e.g., memory 20, FIG. 1) until the data are retrieved byreceiver 24. In the example above, the interrogation to read MMD dataoccurs at the end of travel of the MMD from point A to point B. Multipleevents may in fact occur for a MMD during travel; and multiple eventsare usually stored. Alternatively, a MMD may communicate the event atthe time of occurrence so long as a receiver 24 is nearby to capture thedata. By way of example, if each FEDEX truck contained a receiverintegrated with the truck, then any MMD contained with parcels in thetruck can transmit events to the receiver at the occurrence of theevent.

In another application, one or more monitor devices are attached topatients in a hospital, and one or more receivers are integrated withexisting electronics at the hospital (e.g., with closed circuittelevision, phone systems, etc.). In operation, these device are forexample used to detect “events” that indicate useful information aboutthe patients—information that should be known. If for example themonitor device has a Hall Effect detector that detects when the deviceis inverted, then a device attached to the collar bone (or clothing) ofa patient would generate an “event” when the patient falls or lays down.An impact detector may also be used advantageously, to detect forexample a 10 g event associated with a patient who may have fallen.Accordingly, monitor devices applied to patients in hospitals typicallytransmit event data at occurrence, so that in real time a receiverrelays important medical information to appropriate personnel.

Movement devices of the invention can also transmit movement or othermetrics at select intervals. If for example “impact” data is monitoredby a MMD, then the MMD can transmit the maximum impact data for aselected interval—e.g., once per minute or once per five minutes, orother time interval. In this way, a MMD applied to a patient monitorsmovement; and any change in movement patterns are detected in theappropriate time interval and relayed to the receiver. A MMD may thus beused to inform a hospital when a patient is awake or asleep: whenasleep, the MMD transmits very low impact events; when awake, the MMDtransmits relatively high impact events (e.g., indicating that thepatient is walking around).

FIG. 7 shows one monitor device 120 constructed according to theinvention. Similar to device 10″ of FIG. 2 with regard to the adhesivebandage features of the device, device 120 has a detector in the form ofa piezoelectric strip 122 disposed with the adhesive strip 124 (and,preferably, padding 121). Strip 124 has adhesive 125 such as describedabove so that device 120 is easily attached to a human; e.g., to humanarm 130. In operation, as shown by schematic 130 of FIG. 7A, bending ofstrip 124 also bends piezoelectric strip 122, generating voltage spikes123 detected by device processor 126. Device 120 may thus operate todetect the heart pulse of a person: the tiny physical perturbation ofpiezoelectric strip 122 caused by arterial pressure changes is detectedand processed by device 120 as movement metric 127, which is thentransmitted by port 129 to remote receiver(s) 132 as wireless data 133.The pulse data 127, over time, is usefully reconstructed for analyticalpurposes, e.g., as data 134 on display 136, and may indicate stress orother patient condition that should be known immediately. By way ofexample, an “event” determined by device 120 based on movement metric127 can be the absence or variation of a pulse, perhaps indicating thatthe patient died or went into cardiac arrest. It is clear that if arm130 moves, the voltage signal generated by piezoelectric detector 122may swamp any signal from the patient's pulse; however, since pulse datais detected at approximately 50 to 250 times per second, the underlyingsignal can be recovered, particularly after arm 130 ceases movement.Device 120 can include an A/D converter and/or voltage-limiting device121 to facilitate measurement of voltage signals 123 from piezoelectricstrip detector 122. A battery 138 such as a Lithium coin cell can beused to power device 120.

Device 120 may alternatively detect patient movement to provide realtime detection of movement of a person or of part of that person. Forexample, such a device 120 may be used to monitor movement of an infant(instead of arm 150) or other patient.

Note that the application of a monitor device 120 as described in FIG. 7and FIG. 7A can be expanded to detect respiratory behavior of a patient.FIG. 7B shows a simplified schematic of one device 120′ with a longerpiezoelectric strip detector 122′. Detector 122′ circumferentiallyextends, at least part way, around the chest 150 of a patent; andmovement of chest 150 during breathing generates voltage variations(e.g., similar to variations 133, FIG. 7) in response to physicalperturbations of detector 122′. Similar to pulse rate and pulsestrength, therefore, device 120′ detects respiratory rate and/orstrength. Pulse rate is determined by signal frequencies associated withmovement metric 127; and pulse strength is determined by magnitudesassociated with movement metric 127. Note that strip detector 122′ maybe attached about chest 150 by one of several techniques, including byan adhesive strip (not shown) such as described above. A strap orelastic member 152 may be used to surround chest 150 to closely coupledetector 122′ to chest 150.

Devices such as device 120 or 120′ have additional application such asfor infant monitoring. Attaching such a device to the chest (instead ofarm 150) of an infant to monitor respiration, pulse and/or movementprovides a remote monitoring tool and may prevent death by warning theinfant's parents. A monitor device 10 w, FIG. 2E, may alternatively beused in such an application. Specifically, if for example a monitordevice of the invention is attached to chest 150 of a child, processor126 searches for “events” in the form of the absence of pulse,respiration and/or movement data. The device may thus track pulse orrespiratory rate to synch up to the approximate frequency of the rate.When the device detects an absence in the repetitive signals of thepulse or respiratory rate, the device sends a warning message to analarm for the parents. A system suitable for application with such anapplication is discussed in more detail in FIGS. 55 and 56.

Data transmissions from a monitor device of the invention, to areceiver, typically occur in one of three forms: continuoustransmissions, “event” transmissions, timed sequence transmissions, andinterrogated transmissions. In continuous transmissions, a monitordevice transmits detector signals (or possibly processed detectorsignals) in substantially real time from the monitor device to thereceiver. Data reconstruction at the receiver, or at a computer arrangedin network with, or in communication with, the receiver, then proceedsto analyze the data for desired characteristics. By way of example, byattaching multiple monitor devices to a person, all transmittingreal-time data signals to the receiver, a reconstruction of thatperson's activity is determined.

Consider for example FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, a plurality of MMDs 150 areattached to person “A” and person “B”. As shown, person A is engaged inkarate training with person B. Data from MMDs 150 “stream” to a remotereceiver, such as to the reconstruction computer and receiver 152 ofFIG. 8A. Each MMD 150 preferably has a unique identifier so thatreceiver 152 can decode data from any given MMD 150. MMDs are placed onpersons A, B at appropriate locations, e.g., on each foot and hand,head, knee, and chest; and receiver 152 associates data from each MMD150 with the particular location. As data streams from MMD 150 toreceiver 152, data is reconstructed such as shown in plots 154 and 156.Data plot 154 shows exemplary data from MMD 150 a on the fist 160 ofperson A, and data plot 156 shows exemplary data from MMD 150 b on thehead 162 of person B. Each plot 154, 156 are shown in FIG. 8A as afunction of time 164. Other data plots for other sensors 150 (e.g., forillustrative sensors 2, 3, 4) are not shown, for purposes of clarity.

Data plots 154, 156 have obvious advantages realized by use of the MMDsof the invention. For example, plot 154 illustrates several fist“strikes” 166 generated by person A on person B, and data plot 156illustrates corresponding blows 168 to the head of person B. Data 154,156 may for example be used in training, where person B learns toanticipate person A more effectively to soften or eliminate blows 168.

Data plots 154, 156 have further advantages for broadcast media;specifically, data 154, 156 may be simultaneously relayed to theInternet or television 170 to display impact speed and intensity forblows given or received by persons A, B, and in real time, to enhancethe pleasure and understanding of the viewing audience (i.e., viewers oftelevision, and users of the Internet). Moreover, MMDs of the inventionremove some or all of the subjectivity of impact events: a blow to anopponent is no longer qualitative but quantitative. By way of example,the magnitude of strikes 166 and blows 168 are preferably provided inthe data streamed from MMDs 150, indicating magnitude or force of theblow or strike. Data 154, 156 thus represents real time movement metricdata, such as acceleration associated with body parts of persons A, B.Data 154, 156 may thereafter be analyzed, at receiver 152, to determine“events”, such as when data 154, 156 indicates an impact exceeding 50g's (or other appropriate or desired measure).

FIG. 8B illustrates a representative display on television 157,including appropriate event “data” 159 generated by a MMD system of theinvention. Data 159 can for example derive from receiver 152, whichcommunicates the appropriate event data 159 to the broadcaster for TV157. Such event data 159 can include magnitude or power spectral densityof acceleration data generated by MMDs 150. Data 159 is preferablydisplayed in an easy to understand format, such as through bar graphs161, each impact detected by one or more MMDs 150 (in certain instances,combining one or more MMDs as data 159 can be useful). Bar graphs 161preferably indicate magnitude of the impact shown by data 159 by peakbar graph element 161 a on TV 157.

Those skilled in the art should appreciate that any number of MMDs 150may be used for applications such as shown in FIG. 8. In boxing, forexample, it may be appropriate to attach one MMD 150 per fist. Oneuseful MMD in this application is for example monitor device 10 of FIGS.2, 2D. That is, such a device is easily attached to the boxer's fist 158a or wrist 158 b and, if desired, prior to applying gloves and wrapping158 c, as shown in FIG. 8C. The device can alternatively be placed withwrapping 158 c—making the device practically unnoticeable to the boxer.Preferably, MMD 10′″ of FIG. 8C includes an accelerometer (as the MMDdetector) oriented with a sensitivity axis 158 d as shown; axis 158 dbeing substantially aligned with the strike axis 158 e of fist 158 a.Data from the MMD wirelessly transmits through the gloves and wrappingto receiver 152. Alternatives are also suitable, for example applyingthe MMDs to the boxer's wrapping or glove. A MMD can also be integratedwithin the boxing glove, if desired. In the event that the detector ofthe MMD is an accelerometer, then the sensitive axis of theaccelerometer is preferably arranged along a strike axis of the boxer.

Data acquired from MMDs in sports like boxing and karate are alsopreferably collated and analyzed for statistical purposes. Data 154, 156can be analyzed for statistical detail such as: impacts per minute;average strike force per boxer; average punch power received to thehead; average body blow power; and peak striking impact. Rotationalinformation may also be derived with the appropriate detector, includingtypical wrist rotation at impact, a movement metric that may bedetermined with a spin sensor.

Other than continuous transmissions, such as illustrated in FIG. 8, datafrom monitor devices of the invention also occur via one of “event”transmissions, timed sequence transmissions, and/or interrogatedtransmissions. FIG. 1 illustrates how interrogated transmissionspreferably function: e.g., receiver 24 interrogates device 10 to obtainmetrics. Event transmissions according to preferred embodiments areillustrated as a flow chart 170 of FIG. 9. Timed sequence transmissionsaccording to preferred embodiments are also illustrated within flowchart 170 of FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, flow chart 170 begins in step 172 bypowering the monitor device—either by inserting the battery, turning thedevice on, or removing a wrapper (or by similar mechanism) to power thedevice at the appropriate time. Once powered, the monitor devicemonitors detector signals, in step 174, for metrics such as movement,temperature and/or g's. By way of example, to measure airtime or impact,the device processor monitors an accelerometer for the movement metricof acceleration. Step 176 assesses the metric for “events” such asairtime or “impact” (or, for example, for an event such as whentemperature exceeds a certain threshold, or an event such as whenhumidity decreases below a certain threshold). Typically, though notrequired, all events are not reported, stored or transmitted. Rather, asshown in step 178, events that meet or pass a preselected threshold arereported. By way of example, is an airtime event greater than ½ second—amagnitude deemed interesting by snowboarders? If so, such an event maybe reported. If not, an airtime event of less than ½ second is notreported, and decision “No” from 178 is taken. If the event exceeds somethreshold, decision tree “Yes” from 178 sends the event data to thecommunications port (e.g., communications port 26, FIG. 1) in step 180.The communications port then transmits the event to a receiver (e.g.,receiver 24, FIG. 1) in step 182. As an alternative, decision tree Yes₂sends the event data to memory such that it is stored for latertransmission, in step 184. The Yes₂ decision tree is used for examplewhen a receiver is not presently available (e.g., when no receivingdevice is available to listen to and capture data transmitted from themonitor device). Eventually, however, event data is transmittedoff-board, in step 186, such as when memory is full (a receiver shouldbe available to capture the event data before memory becomes full) orwhen the monitor device is scheduled to transmit the data at apreselected time interval (i.e., a timed sequence transmission). Forexample, event data stored in memory may be transmitted off board everyfive minutes or every hour; data captured within that time interval ispreferably stored in memory until transmission at steps 180 and 182.

Note that timed sequence transmission of event data approaches“continuous” transmission of movement metric data for smaller andsmaller timed sequence transmissions. For example, if data from themonitor device is communicated off-board each second (or less, such aseach one tenth of a second), then that data becomes more and moresimilar to continuously transmitted data from the detector. Indeed, ifsampling of the detector occurs at X Hz, and timed transmissions alsooccur at X Hz, then “continuous” or “timed sequence” data may besubstantially identical. Timed sequence or event data, therefore,provides for the opportunity to process the detector signals, betweentransmissions, to derive useful events or to weed out noise or uselessinformation.

FIG. 10 shows a sensor-dispensing canister 200 constructed according tothe invention. Canister 200 is shown containing a plurality of sensor202. A lid 204 may be coupled with canister 200 to enclose sensors 202within canister 200, as desired. Each of sensors 202 can for example bea monitor device such as described above; however canister 200 can beused for other battery-powered sensors. Although canister 200 is shownwith two-dozen sensors 202, a larger or smaller number of sensors may becontained within its cavity 200 a. As described in more detail below,canister 200 preferably contains one or both of (a) canister electronicsand (b) a base assembly. Lid 204 preferably functions as a switch, topower the canister electronics when lid 204 is open, and to causecanister electronics to sleep when lid 204 is closed.

FIG. 10A shows sensors 202 with base assembly 206, and, for purposes ofclarity, without the rest of canister 200. Each of sensors 202 is shownwith a monitor device 202 a and an adhesive strip 202 b; however,canister 200 may be used with other sensors (i.e., sensors that are notMMDs or EMDs) without departing from the scope of the invention. FIG.10B illustrates one sensor 202 in the preferred embodiment, and alsoillustrates a Mylar battery insulator strip 208 that keeps the sensorbattery from touching its contact or terminal (not shown) within monitordevice 202 a. Strip 208 can for example serve as the “non-stick” stripor extension 77 discussed above in connection with FIG. 4. Strip 208preferably couples to base assembly 206 such as shown in FIG. 10C.Accordingly, when a user removes a sensor 202 from canister 200, strip208 remains with base assembly 206—and is no longer in contact withsensor 202—and the monitor device's internal battery powers the devicefor use with its intended application, as shown in FIG. 10D.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a canister 200′ (e.g.,similar to canister 200 but with internal electronics) has its ownbattery 210, micro-controller 212, sensor time tag interface 214 a, andreal time clock 216 (collectively the “canister electronics”), as shownin FIG. 10E. With such an embodiment, a sensor 202′ for use withcanister 200′ has a mating time tab interface 214 b. In addition to timetag interface 214 b, sensor 202′ has a clock 218, processor 220, battery222, detector 224 and communications port 226. In operation, sensor 202′is generally not powered by battery 222 until removed from canister200′, as described above. Accordingly, real time clock information(e.g., the exact date and time) cannot be maintained within sensor 202′while un-powered (i.e., so long as insulator strip 208′ prevents battery222 from powering sensor 202′) since clock 218 and other electronicsrequire power to operate. However, in FIG. 10E, the advantage providedby the canister electronics is that time tag information from real timeclock 216 is imported to sensor 202′ through interfaces 214 a, 214 bafter battery 222 powers device 202 a′ but before interfaces 214 a, 214b disconnect so that sensor 202′ can be used operationally. As such, inthe preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 10F, interface 214 a takes theform of flex cable 230 that remains attached between canisterelectronics and device 202 a′ until flex cable 230 extends to its fulllength, whereinafter sensor 202′ disconnects from cable 230. Time tagrelay 214 b of device 202 a′, FIG. 10F, thus takes the form of a plug(not shown) to connect and alternatively disconnect with flex cable 230.In FIG. 10F, canister electronics (e.g., elements 210, 212, 216) aredisposed within base assembly 206′ and therefore flex cable 230 appearsto extend only to base assembly 206′ when in fact cable 230 extends tocanister electronics disposed therein. When a user removes sensor 202′from canister 200′, device 202 a′ is powered when strip 208′, held withbase assembly 206′ (or electronics therein) disconnects from sensor202′; and at that time clock 218 is enabled to track real time. Beforeflex cable 230 disconnects from sensor 202′, time and/or datainformation is communicated between interfaces 214 a, 214 b to providethe “real” time to sensor 202′ as provided by clock 216. Once real timeis provided to sensor 202′, clock 218 maintains and tracks advancingtime so that sensor 202′ can tag events with time and/or dateinformation, as described herein.

One advantage of sensor canister 200′ is that once used, it may bereused by installing additional sensors within the cavity. In addition,one canister can carry multiple monitor devices, such as 100 MMDs thateach respond to an event of “10 g's.” In another example, anothercanister carries 200 MMDs that respond to an event of “100 g's.” Acanister of MMDs can be in any suitable number that meets a givenapplication; typically however sensors within the canister of theinvention are packaged together in groups of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 500or 1000. A variety pack of MMDs can also be packaged within a canister,such as a canister containing ten 5 g MMDs, ten 10 g MMDs, ten 15 gMMDs, ten 20 g MMDs, ten 25 g MMDs, ten 30 g MMDs, ten 35 g MMDs, ten 40g MMDs, ten 45 g MMDs, and ten 50 g MMDs. Another variety package canfor example include groups of MMDs spaced at 10 g intervals. EMDs canalso be packaged in variety configurations within canisters 200, 200′.

Canisters 200, 200′ can also function to dispense one or a plurality ofreceivers. Specifically, each of elements 202 of FIG. 10 mayalternatively be a receiver such as receiver 24 of FIG. 1. In this way,a plurality of receivers may be dispensed and powered as describedabove. FIG. 10G shows one receiver 231 constructed according to theinvention. Receiver 231 has a communications port 232, battery 233 andindicator 234. Receiver 231 can further include processor 235, memory236 and clock 237, as a matter of design choice and convenience such asto implement functionality described in connection with FIGS. 10G, 10H.Receiver 231 can for example be dispensed as one of a plurality ofreceivers—as an element 202, 202′ dispensed from canisters 200, 200′above. In operation, battery 233 powers receiver 231 and receiver 231receives inputs in the form of wireless communications (e.g., in accordwith the teachings herein, wireless communications can include knowntransmission protocols such as radio-frequency communication, infraredcommunication and inductive magnetic communication) from a sensor suchas a MMD. Communications port 232 serves to capture the wirelesscommunications data such that indicator 234 re-communicates appropriate“event” data to a person or machine external to receiver 231.Specifically, in one embodiment, receiver 231 operates to relay verysimple information regarding event data from a movement device. If forexample a MMD sends event data to receiver 231 that reported the MMDexperienced an airtime event of five seconds, and it was important thatthis information was known immediately, then receiver 231 is programmed(e.g., through processor 235) to indicate the occurrence of thatfive-second airtime event through indicator 234. Such data may also bestored in memory 236, if desired, until a person or machine requiringthe data acquires it through indicator 234. By way of another example,receiver 231 can take the form of a ski lift ticket 238 shown in FIG.10H. Lift ticket 238 is thus a receiver with an indicator 239 in theform of a LED. Lift ticket 238 is preferably made like other lifttickets, and may for example include bar code 240, indicating that aperson purchased the ticket for a particular day, and ticket connectingwire 241 to couple ticket 238 to clothing. Lift ticket 238 maybeneficially be used with a MMD having a speed sensor detector; and thatMMD reports (by wireless communication) speed “events” that exceed acertain threshold, e.g., 40 mph. Lift ticket receiver 238 captures thatevent data and reports it though indicator 239. A person wearing liftticket receiver 238 with a speed sensing MMD will thus be immediatelyknown by the ski lift area that the person skis recklessly, as a liftoperator can view the speeding violation indicator LED 239.Alternatively, indicator 239 is itself a wireless relay thatcommunicates with a third receiver such as a ski ticket reader currentlyused to review bar code 240. Lift ticket receiver 238 can furtherinclude circuitry as in monitor device 10 of FIG. 1 so that it respondsto wireless requests for appropriate “event data,” such as speedviolation data. As such, indicator 239 may take the form of atransmitter relaying requested event data to the third receiver, forexample. Event data may be stored in memory 236 until requested by thethird receiver interrogating lift ticket receiver 238.

Preferably, canisters 200′ imparts a unique ID to the dispensedelectronics—e.g., to each sensor or receiver taken from canister200′—for security reasons. More particularly, in addition tocommunicating a current date and time to the dispensed electronics,canister 200′ also preferably imparts a unique ID code which is used insubsequent interrogations of the dispensed electronics to obtain datatherein. Therefore, data within a monitor device, for example, cannot betampered with out the appropriate access code; and that code is onlyknown by the party controlling canister 200′ and dispensing theelectronics.

FIG. 10G and FIG. 10H illustrate certain advantages of the invention.First, receivers in the form of lift tickets 238 may be packaged anddispensed to power the lift ticket upon use. Lift tickets are dispensedby the thousands and are sometimes stored for months prior to use.Accordingly, battery power may be conserved until dispensed so thatinternal electronics function when used by a skier for the day. Further,tickets 238 monitor a user's performance behavior during the day to lookfor offending events: e.g., exceeding the ski resort speed limit of 35mph; exceeding the jump limit of two seconds; or performing an overheadflip on the premises. Whatever the monitor device is set to measure andtransmit as “events” may be visually displayed (e.g., a LED or LCD) atindicator 234 or re-transmitted to read the offending information.Receiver 231 may incorporate transponders as discussed above tofacilitate the indicator functionality, i.e., to relay data asappropriate.

Batteries used in the above MMDs and devices like the lift ticket canbenefit by using paper-like batteries such as set forth in U.S. Pat. No.5,897,522, incorporated herein by reference. Such batteries provideflexibility in several of the monitor devices described herein. Poweringsuch batteries when dispensing a sensor or receiver still providesadvantages to conserve battery power until the sensor or receiver isused. A device battery 18 of FIG. 1 can for example be a paper-likebattery or coin cell.

FIG. 10I shows yet another sensor 231′ constructed according to theinvention. Like receiver 231, sensor 231′ preferably conforms to a shapeof a license ticket, e.g., a ski lift ticket. However sensor 231′ doesnot couple to a separate monitor device; rather, sensor 231′ is astand-alone device that serves to monitor and gauge speeding activity.Like other sensors of the invention, an “event” is generated andcommunicated off-board (i.e., to a person or external electronics) whensensor 231′ exceeds a pre-assigned value. Typically, that value is aspeed limit associated with the authority issuing sensor 231′ (e.g., aresort that issues a ski lift ticket). Sensor 231′ is preferablydispensed through one of the “power on” techniques described herein,such as by dispensing sensor 231′ from a canister 200, 200′. Typically,when sensor 231′ detects a speeding event, (a) data is communicatedoff-board (e.g., sensor 231′ generates a wireless signal of the speedviolation), and/or (b) a visual indicator is generated to inform theauthority (e.g., via a ski lift operator of the ski lift area) of theviolation. In case (a), indicator 234′ may for example be acommunications port such as port 16, FIG. 1; in the case (b), indicator234′ may for example be an LED or other visual indicator that one canvisually detect to learn of the speeding violation. Indicator 234′ ofone embodiment is a simple LED that turns black (ON), or alternativelywhite (OFF), after the occurrence of a speeding event. A quick visualreview of sensor 231′ thus informs the resort of the speeding violation.

Sensor 231′ also has a battery 233′ that is preferably powered whensensor 231′ is dispensed to a user (e.g., to a snowboarder at a resort).Optionally, position locater 243 is included with sensor 231′ to trackearth location of sensor 23′; processor 235′ thereafter determines speedbased upon movement between locations over a time period (e.g., distancebetween a first location and a second location, divided by the timedifferential defined by arriving at the second location after leavingthe first location, provides speed). Clock 237′ provides timing tosensor 231′. Optionally, memory 236′ serves one of several functions asa matter of design choice. Data gathered by sensor 231′ may be stored inmemory 236′; such data may be communicated off-board during subsequentinterrogations. As discussed above, data may also be communicatedoff-board at the occurrence of a speeding “event.” As an alternative,indicator 234′ may be a transponder RFID tag to be read by a ticket cardreader. In one embodiment, on slope transmitters irradiate sensor 231′with a signal that reflects to determine Doppler speed; that speed isimparted to sensor memory 236′ and reported to the resort.

Preferably, sensor 231′ operates in “low power” mode. Position locater243 in one preferred embodiment is a GPS receiver. GPS receiver andprocessor 243, 235′ for example collectively operate to make timedmeasurements of earth location so as to coarsely measure speed. Forexample, by measuring earth location each five seconds, and by dividingthe distance traveled in those five seconds by five seconds, a coarsemeasure of speed is determined. Other timed measurements could be madeas a matter of design choice, e.g., ½, 1, 15, 20, 25, 30 or 60 seconds.By taking fewer measurements, and by reducing processing, battery poweris conserved over the course of a day, as it is preferable that theticket determines speeding violations for at least a full day, inWinter. Finely determining speed at about one-second intervals is usefulin the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Memory 236′ may further define location information relative to one ormore “zones” at a resort, such that speed may be assigned to each zone.In this manner, for example, a resort can specify that ski run “X” (ofzone “A”) has a speed limit of 35 mph, while ski run “Y” (of zone “B”)has a speed limit of 30 mph. Speeding violations within any of zones Aor B are then communicated to the resort. The advantage of this featureof the invention is that certain slopes or mountain areas permit higherspeeds, and yet other slopes (e.g., a tree skiing area) do not supporthigher speeds. The resort may for example specify speed limits accordingto terrain. GPS receiver 243 determines earth position—which processor235′ determines is within a particular zone—and speed violations arethen determined relative to the speed limit within the particular zone,providing a more flexible system for the ski resort.

Position locater 243 of another embodiment is an altimeter, preferablyincluding a solid-state pressure sensor. Altimeter 243 of one embodimentprovides gross position information such as the maximum and minimumaltitude on a ski mountain. For a particular resort, maximum and minimumaltitude approximately correspond to a distance of “Z” meters, thedistance needed to traverse between the minimum and maximum altitude.Processor 235′ then determines speed based upon dividing Z by the timebetween determining the minimum and maximum altitudes. Fractional speedsmay also be determined. If for example a particular skier traversesbetween a maximum altitude and half-way between the minimum and maximumaltitudes, then processor 235′ determines speed based upon dividing Z/2by the time between determining (a) the maximum altitude and (b) themidpoint between the minimum and maximum altitudes.

As discussed above, one MMD of the invention includes an airtime sensor.FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 collectively illustrate the preferred embodiment fordetermining and detecting airtime in accord with the invention. A MMDconfigured to measure airtime preferably uses an accelerometer as thedetector; and FIG. 11 depicts electrical and process steps 250 forprocessing acceleration signals to determine an “airtime” event. FIG. 12illustrates state machine logic 280 used in reporting this airtime. Byway of example, FIG. 12 shows that motion is preferably determined priorto determining airtime, as airtime is meaningful in certain applications(e.g., wakeboarding) when the vehicle (e.g., the wakeboard) is movingand non-stationary.

More particularly, FIG. 11 depicts discrete-time signal processing stepsof an airtime detection algorithm. Acceleration data 252 derive from adetector in the form of an accelerometer. Two pseudo-power level signals266 a, 272 a are produced from data 252 by differentiating (step 254),rectifying (step 256), and then filtering through respective low-passfilters at steps 266 or 272. More particularly, a difference signal ofdata 252 is taken at step 254. The difference signal for exampleoperates to efficiently filter data 252. The difference signal is nextrectified, preferably, at step 256. Optionally, a limit filter serves tolimit rectified data at step 258. Rectified, limited data may beresealed, if desired, at step 260. The limiting and resealing steps 258,260 help reduce quantization effects on the resolution of power signals266 a, 272 a. Filtering at steps 266, 272 incorporate differentassociated time constants, and feed binary hysteresis functions withdifferent trigger levels, to produce “power” signals 266 a, 272 a.

More particularly, data from step 260 is bifurcated along fast-signalpath 262 and slow-signal path 264, as shown. In path 262, a low passfilter operation (here shown as a one pole, 20 Hz low pass filter) firstoccurs at step 266 to produce power signal 266 a. Two comparatorscompare power signal 266 a to thresholds, at step 268, to generate twosignals 270 used to identify possible takeoffs and landings for anairtime event. In path 264, a low pass filter operation (here shown as aone pole 2 Hz low pass filter) first occurs at step 272 to produce powersignal 272 a. Three comparators compare power signal 272 a tothresholds, at step 274, to generate three “confidence” signals 276 usedto assess confidence of takeoffs and landings for an airtime event.Finally, a state machine 280, described in more detail in FIG. 12,evaluates signals 270, 276 to generate airtime events 278.

Those skilled in the art should appreciate that the airtime detectionscheme of FIG. 11 also may be used for other detectors, such as those inthe form of piezoelectric strips and microphones, without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

FIG. 12 schematically shows state machine logic 280 used to report andidentify airtime events, in accord with the invention. State machine 280includes several processes, including determining motion 282,determining potential takeoffs 284 (e.g., of the type determined alongpath 262, FIG. 11), determining takeoff confirmations 286 (e.g., of thetype determined along path 264, FIG. 11), determining potential landings288 (e.g., of the type determined along path 262, FIG. 11), anddetermining landing confirmations 290 (e.g., of the type determinedalong path 264, FIG. 11). Logic flow between processes 282, 284, 286,288, 290 occurs as illustrated and annotated according to the preferredembodiment of the invention.

In summary, the relative fast signal from fast-signal path 262, FIG. 11,isolates potential takeoffs and potential landings from data 252 withtiming accuracy (defined by filter 266) that meets airtime accuracyspecifications, e.g., 1/100^(th) of a second. The drawback of detectionsalong path 262 is that it may react to accelerometer signal fluctuationsthat do not represent real events, which may occur with a ski click inthe middle of an airtime jump by a skier. This problem is solved byconfirming potential takeoffs and landings with confirmation takeoffsand landings triggered by a slower signal, i.e., along path 264. Theslower signal 272 a is thus used to confirm landings and takeoffs, butis not used for timing because it does not have sufficient timeresolution.

An accelerometer signal described in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 is preferablysensitive to the vertical axis (i.e., the axis perpendicular to thedirection of motion, e.g., typically the direction of forward velocity,such as the direction down a hill for a snowboarder) to produce a rawacceleration signal (i.e., data 252, FIG. 11) for processing. Otheraccelerometer orientations can also be used effectively. The rawacceleration signal may for example be sampled at high frequencies(e.g., 4800 Hz) and then acted upon by the algorithm of FIG. 11. With astream of accelerometer data, the algorithm produces an output stream oftime-tagged airtime events.

FIG. 13 graphically shows representative accelerometer data 300 capturedby a device of the invention and covering an airtime event 302. Event302 occurs between takeoff 304 and landing 306, both determined throughthe algorithm of FIG. 11. Data representing power signals 266 a and 272a are also shown. A ski click 310 illustrating the importance of signals266 a, 272 a shows how the invention prevents identification of skiclick 310 as a landing or second takeoff.

Data transmission from a sensor (e.g., a MMD) to a display unit (e.g., areceiver) is generally at least 99.9% reliable. In the case of one-waycommunication, a redundant transmission protocol is preferably used tocover for lost data transmissions. Communications are also preferablyoptimized so as to reduce battery consumption. One way to reduce batteryconsumption is to synchronize transmission with reception. The“transmission period” (the period between one transmission and thenext), the size of the storage buffer in sensor memory, and the numberof times data is repeated (defining a maximum age of an event) areadjustable to achieve battery consumption goals.

A state diagram for transmission protocols between one sensor anddisplay unit, utilizing one-way transmission, is shown in FIG. 14 andFIG. 14A. FIG. 14 and FIG. 14A specifically show the operational statetransitions for the sensor (chart 273) and display unit (chart 274) withrespect to transmission protocols, in one embodiment of the invention.The numerical times provided in FIG. 14 are illustrative, withoutlimitation, and may be adjusted to optimize performance. As thoseskilled in the art should appreciate, alternative protocols may be usedin accord with the invention between sensors and receivers. Withreference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 14A, the display unit is generally in alow power mode unless receiving data, to conserve power in the displayunit. To accomplish this, transmissions between the sensor and displayunit are synchronized such that the display unit knows when the sensorcan next transmit. When the sensor has no data to transmit, therepreferably is no transmission; however, synchronization is stillmaintained by short transmissions. Synchronization need not be performedat each transmission period, but preferably at a suitably spacedmultiple of the transmission period. The period betweensynchronization-only transmissions is then determined by the amount ofclock drift between the display unit and the sensor unit. The sync-onlytransmission may include the power up sequence and the sync byte, suchthat the display unit maintains sync with sensor transmissions. Thetransmission period is preferably selectable by software for both thesensor and the display unit.

By way of example, one sensor unit is monitor device 10 of FIG. 1, andone display unit is receiver 24 of FIG. 1. When the sensor and receiverfunction as a pair, the sensor unit preferably has an identification(ID) number communicated to the display unit in transmission so that thedisplay unit only decodes data from one particular sensor.

Preferably, the display unit determines the sync pattern for sensortransmissions by active listening until receipt of a synchronization ordata transmission with the matching sensor ID. Once a valid transmissionfrom the matching sensor is received, the display unit calculates thetime of the next possible transmission and controls the display unitaccordingly. When the sensor is a MMD used to determine airtime, and thesensor does not necessarily have a real time clock; data sent to thedisplay unit includes airtime values with time information as to whenthe airtime occurred. As this sensor does not necessarily maintain areal time clock, the time information sent from the sensor is relativeto the packet transmission time. Preferably, the display unit, which hasa real time clock, will convert the relative time into an absolute timesuch that airtime as an event is tagged with appropriate time and/ordate information.

The amount of data communicated between the sensor and display unitvaries. By way of example, for typical skier and snowboarder operation,an airtime event covering the 0-5 second range with a resolution of1/100^(th) second is generally adequate. The coding of such airtimeevents can use nine data bits. Ten bits allow for measurement of up toapproximately ten seconds, if desired. For an age, where the resolutionof age is one second (i.e., a time stamp resolution) and the maximum ageof a repeat transmission is fifteen seconds, four bits are used. Datatransmission also typically has overhead, such as startup time,synchronization byte, sensor ID used to verify correct sensor reception,a product identifier to allow backwards compatibility in futurereceivers, a count of the number of data items in the packet, and,following the actual data, a checksum to gain confidence in the receiveddata. This overhead is approximately six bytes in length. To reduce theeffect of overhead, stored data in the sensor is preferably sent in onemessage. An airtime event for example can be stored in the sensor untiltransmitted with the desired redundancy, after which it is typicallydiscarded. Thus, the number of airtime events included in a transmissiondepends upon the number of items still in the sensor's buffer (e.g., inmemory 20, FIG. 1). When the buffer is empty, there is, generally, nodata transmission.

A typical data transmission can for example include: <P/up> <Sync><Sensor ID> <Product ID> <Count> [<Age> <Airtime>] <Checksum>. <P/up> isthe power-up time for the transmitter. A character may be transmittedduring power up to aid the transmitter startup, and help the receiverstart to synchronize on the signal. The <Sync> character is sent so thatthe receiver can recognize the start of a new message. <Sensor ID>defines each sensor with a unique ID number such that the display unitcan selectively use data from a matching sensor. <Product ID> defineseach sensor with a product ID to allow for backward compatibility infuture receivers. <Count> defines how many age/airtime values areincluded in a message. The <Age> field provides the age of an associatedairtime value, which may be used by the display unit to identify when anairtime is retransmitted. <Airtime> is the actual airtime value.<Checksum> provides verification that the data was received correctly.

A sensor's buffer length should accommodate the maximum number ofairtime jumps for the duration of retransmissions. By way of example,transmissions can be restricted so that no more than one jump everythree seconds is recognized; and retransmissions should generally finishwithin a selected time interval (e.g., six seconds). Therefore, thisexemplary sensor need only store two airtime events at any one time. Thebuffer length is preferably configurable, and can for example be set tohold four or more airtime events.

Transmission electronics within the sensor and display units may use aUART, meaning that data is defined in byte-sized quantities. As thoseskilled in the art understand, alternative transmission protocols canutilize bit level resolution to further reduce transmission length.

By way of example, consider an airtime event of 1.72 seconds, occurring2.1 seconds before start of transmission. In accord with FIG. 14 andFIG. 14A, the transmitted data would be as follows:

<P/up> <Sync> <Sensor ID> <Product ID> <Count> [<Age> <Airtime>]<Checksum> <0xAA> <0xAD> <0x12> <0x01> <0x01> <0x02> <0x158> <0x21>

Assuming that the age and airtime data are combined into two bytes, andthat <P/up> is one byte in length, the entire packet is eight bytes inlength. At a transmission speed of 1200 baud, a typical transmissionspeed between a sensor and receiver, the eight bytes takes 67 ms totransmit. Assuming sequential transmission periods of 500 ms, thetransmission duty cycle is 13.4% for a single jump.

Those skilled in the art should appreciate that alternatives from theabove-described protocols may be made without departing from the scopeof the invention. In one alternative, pseudo random transmissions areused between a sensor and receiver. If for example two sensors aretogether, and transmitting, the transmissions may interfere with oneanother if both transmissions synchronously overlap. Therefore, insituations like this, a pseudo random transmission interval may be used,and preferably randomized by the unique sensor identification number<Sensor ID>. If both the display unit and the sensor follow the samesequence, they can remain in complete sync. Accordingly, a collision ofone transmission (by two adjacent sensors) will likely not occur on thenext transmission. In another alternative, it may also be beneficial forthe receiver to define a bit pattern for the <sync> byte that does notoccur anywhere else in the transmitted data, such as used, for example,with the HDLC bit stuffing protocol. In another alternative, it may bebeneficial to use an error correction protocol, instead ofretransmissions, to reduce overall data throughput. In still anotheralternative, a more elaborate checksum is used to reduce the risk ofprocessing invalid data.

In still another alternative, a “Hamming Code” may be used in thetransmission protocol. Hamming codes are typically used with continuousstreams of data, such as for a CD player, or for the system described inconnection with FIG. 8; however they are not generally used with eventor timed sequence transmissions described in connection with FIG. 14.Nevertheless, Hamming codes may make the data paths more robust. Thewireless receiver in the display unit may take a finite time in start-upbefore it can receive each message. Since a further goal of thetransmission protocol is generally to reduce the overall number oftransmissions from the sensor, it may be beneficial to add additionaldata to the transmission and send it fewer times rather than toretransmit data several times. For example, rather than sending allbuffered airtime values with each transmission, two data items can besent, together with a count of airtimes in the sensor buffer, and a sumof the airtimes. If the display unit misses one airtime (e.g.,determined by the count value), it can use the sum value received andthe summation of the airtimes it has previously received to determinethe missing airtime. A similar scheme can be used for age values so asto determine the time of the missing airtime.

The display unit receiver is typically in the physical form of a watch,pager, cell phone or PDA; and, further, receivers also typically havecorresponding functionality. By way of example, one receiver is a cellphone that additionally functions as a receiver to read and interpretdata from a MMD. Furthermore, a display unit is preferably operative toreceive and display more than one movement metric. As such, data packetsdescribed above preferably include the additional metric data, e.g.,containing both impact and airtime event data. Display units of theinvention preferably have versatile attachment options, such as tofacilitate attachment to a wrist (e.g., via a watch or Velcro strap forover clothing), a neck (e.g., via a necklace), or body (e.g., by a strapor belt).

Sensors such as the monitor devices described above, and correspondingdisplay unit receivers, preferably have certain characteristics, andsuch as to accommodate extreme temperature, vibration and shockenvironments. One representative sensor and receiver used to determineairtime in action sports can for example have the following non-limitingcharacteristics: sensor attaches to a flat surface (e.g., to snowboard,ski, wakeboard); sensor stays attached during normal aggressive use;display unit attachable to outside of clothing or gear; waterproof;display unit battery life three months or more; sensor battery life oneweek or more of continuous use; on/off functionality by switch orautomatic operation; characters displayed at data unit visible from aminimum of eighteen inches; minimum data comprehension time for dataminimum of 0.5 second; last airtime data accessible with no physicalinteraction; one second maximum time delay for display of airtime dataafter jump; displayed data readable in sunlight; displayed data includestime and/or date information of airtime; user selection of accumulatedairtime; display unit provides real time information; display unitoperable with a maximum of two buttons; physical survivability for fivefoot drop onto concrete; scratch and stomp resistant; no sharp edges;minimum data precision 1/30^(th) second; minimum data accuracy 1/15^(th)second; minimum data resolution 1/100^(th) second; minimum datareliability 999/1000 messages received; algorithm performance less thanone percent false positive and less then two percent false negativeindications per day; and temperature range minimum of −10 C-60 C.

Those skilled in the art should appreciate that the above description ofcommunication protocols of “airtime” between sensor and receiver can beapplied to monitor devices sensing other metrics, e.g., temperature,without departing from the scope of the invention.

By way of example, FIG. 15 shows functional blocks 320, 322, 324, 326,328, 330 of one sensor of the invention. The sensor's algorithm analysessignals from an internal detector and determines an event such asairtime. This event information is stored and made ready fortransmission to the display unit. FIG. 16 shows functional blocks 332,334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344 of one display unit of the invention.Transmission protocols between functional blocks 326, 332 ensure thatdata is received reliably. The internal detector of the sensor of FIG.15 for example is an accelerometer oriented to measure acceleration inthe Z direction (i.e., perpendicular to the X, Y plane of motion).Signals generated from the detector are sampled at a suitable frequency,at block 320, and then processed by an event algorithm, at block 322.The algorithm applies filters and control logic to determine event,e.g., the takeoff and landing times for airtime events. Event data suchas airtime is passed to the data storage at block 324. Data is stored tomeet transmission protocol requirements; preferably, data is stored in acyclic buffer, and once all data transmissions are performed, the datais discarded. Transmission can be performed by a UART, at block 326,where data content is arranged to provide sufficient robustness. Powercontrol at block 328 monitors signal activity level to determine if thesensor should be in ‘operating’ mode, or in ‘sleep’ mode. Sleep modepreserves the battery to obtain a greater operative life. While in sleepmode, the processor wakes periodically to check for activity. Timing andcontrol at block 330 maintains timing and scheduling of softwarecomponents.

With regard to FIG. 16, receiver message handler at block 332 performsdata reconstruction and duplication removal from transmission protocols.Resulting data items are sent to data management and storage at block334. Stored data ensures that the user can select desired informationfor display, at block 336. The display driver preferably performsadditional data processing, such as in displaying Total Lists (e.g.,values representing cumulative of a metric), Best lists (e.g., valuesrepresenting the best or highest or lowest metric), and Current Lists(e.g., values representing latest metric). These lists are filledautomatically, but may be cleared or reset by the user. Buttonstypically control the display unit, at block 338. Button inputs by usersare scanned for user input, with corresponding information passed to theuser interface/menu control block 344. The display driver of block 336selects and formats data for display, and sends it to the receiver'sdisplay device (e.g., an LCD). This information may also include menuitems to allow the user select, or perform functions on, stored data, orto select different operation modes. A real time clock of block 340maintains the current time and date even when the display is inactive.The time and date is used to time stamp event data (e.g., an airtimeevent). Timing and control at block 342 maintains timing and schedulingof various software components. User interface at block 344 acceptsinput from the button interface, to select data items for display. Auser preferably can scroll through menu items, or data lists, asdesired.

FIG. 17 shows one housing suitable for use with a monitor device (e.g.,a MMD) of the invention. The housing is shown with three pieces: a topelement 362, a bottom element 364, and an o-ring 366. As shown in FIG.18, elements 362, 364 form a watertight seal with o-ring 366 to form aninternal cavity that contains and protects sensor electronics 368 (e.g.,detector 12, processor 14, communications port 16 of FIG. 1) disposedwithin the cavity. Batteries 370 power sensor electronics 368, such asdescribed in connection with FIGS. 3F, 3G. In combination, the housingis preferably small, with volume dimensions less than about 35 mm×15mm×15 mm. Generally, one dimension of the housing is longer than theother dimensions, as illustrated; though this is not required.

FIG. 19 shows an alternative housing 372 suitable for use with a sensor(e.g., a MMD) of the invention. Housing 372 is shown with three pieces:a top element 374, a bottom element 376, and an o-ring 378. As above,elements 374, 376 form a watertight seal with o-ring 378 to form aninternal cavity that contains and protects sensor electronics disposedtherein. FIG. 19 also shows housing 372 coupled to sensor bracket 380. Amating screw 382 passes through housing 372, as shown, and throughsensor bracket 380 for attachment to a vehicle attachment bracket. FIG.20 illustrates one vehicle attachment bracket 390; FIG. 21 illustratesanother vehicle attachment bracket 400. Mating screw 382 preferably hasa large head 382 a so that human fingers can efficiently manipulatescrew 382, thereby attaching and detaching housing 372 from the vehicleattachment bracket, and, thereby, from the underlying vehicle. Screw 382also preferably clamps together elements 374, 376, 378 at a singlelocation to seal sensor electronics within housing 372.

Bracket 390 of FIG. 20 attaches directly to vehicle 392. Vehicle 392 isfor example a sport vehicle such as a snowboard, ski, wakeboard, orskateboard. Vehicle 392 may also be part of a car or motorcycle. Asurface 394 of vehicle 392 may be flat; and thus bracket 390 preferablyhas a corresponding flat surface so that bracket 390 is efficientlybonded, glued, screwed, or otherwise attached to surface 394. Bracket390 also has screw hole 396 into which mating screw 382 threads to,along direction 399.

FIG. 21 shows one alternative vehicle attachment bracket 400. Bracket400 has an L-shape to facilitate attachment to bicycle frame 398. Frame398 is for example part of a bicycle or mountain biking sports vehicle.A seat 402 is shown for purposes of illustration. Bracket 400 has ascrew hole 404 into which mating screw 382 threads to, along direction406. Sensor outline 408 illustrates how housing 372 may attach tobracket 400.

Brackets 380, 390, 400 illustrate how sensors of the invention maybeneficially attach to sporting vehicles of practically any shape, andwith low profile once attached thereto. The brackets of the inventionpreferably conform to the desired vehicle and provide desiredorientations for the sensor within its housing. By way of example,L-shaped bracket 400 may be used to effectively orient a sensor to bike398. If for example the sensor includes a two-axis accelerometer as thedetector, with sensitive axes 410, 412 arranged as shown, then vehiclevibration substantially perpendicular to ground (i.e., ground being theplane of movement for the vehicle, illustrated by vector A) may bedetected in sensor orientations illustrated by attachment of housing 372to attachments 390, 400 of FIGS. 20 and 21, respectively. In addition,such an arrangement provides for mounting the sensor to a vehicle with alow profile extending from the vehicle.

Vehicle attachment brackets (and sensor brackets) are preferably madewith sturdy material, e.g., Aluminum, such that, once attached to avehicle (e.g., vehicle 390 or 398), the vibration characteristics of theunderlying vehicle transmit through to the housing attached thereto; thesensor within the housing may then monitor movement signals (e.g.,vibration of the vehicle, generally generated perpendicular to “A” inFIG. 20 and FIG. 21) directly and with little signal loss ordegradation.

FIG. 22 shows housing 374 from a lower perspective view, andspecifically shows sensor bracket 380 configured with back connectingelements 376 a of housing element 376. FIG. 23 further illustratesbracket 380. FIG. 24 further illustrates element 374, including screwhole 374 a for mating screw 382, and in forming part of the cavity 374 bfor sensor electronics. FIG. 25 further illustrates element 376,including screw aperture 376 b for mating screw 382. Elements 376, 374may optionally be joined together via attachment channels 377, withscrews or alignment pins.

FIG. 26 shows one housing 384 for a monitor device of the invention.Housing 384 is preferably made from mold urethane and includes a topportion 384 a and bottom portion 384 b. An o-ring (not shown) betweenportions 384 a, 384 b serves to keep electronics within housing 384 dryand free from environmental forces external to housing 384. FIG. 27shows the inside of top portion 384 a; FIG. 28 shows the inside ofbottom portion 384 b; and FIG. 29 shows one monitor device 386,constructed according to the invention, for operational placement withinhousing 384. Portions 384 a, 384 b are clamped together by screwattachment channels 388. In FIG. 29, device 386 includes batteries 389a, 389 b used to power a radio-frequency transmitter 390 and otherelectronics coupled with PCB 391. Data from device 386 is communicatedto remote receivers through antenna 392. When transmitter 390 is a 433MHz transmitter, for example, antenna 392 is preferably coil-shaped, asshown, running parallel to the short axis 393 of PCB 391 and about 4.5mm above the non-battery edge 394 of PCB 391. Coil antenna 392 ispreferably about 15 mm long along length 392 a and about 5.5 mm indiameter along width 392 b; and coil antenna 392 is preferably made fromabout 20 turns 392 c of enameled copper wire. Antenna 392 may be coupledto housing 384 via protrusions 385. The o-ring between portions 384 a,384 b may be placed on track 386.

FIG. 30, FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 collectively illustrate one mounting systemfor attaching monitor devices of the invention to objects with flatsurfaces. FIG. 30 shows a plate 396 that is preferably injection moldedusing a tough metal replacement material such as the Verton™. Verton™ isa registered trademark of Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V. of theNetherlands. Plate 396 is preferably permanently secured to the flatsurface (e.g., to a ski or snowboard) with 3M VHB tape or other glue orscrew. Skis, bicycles, and other vehicles use a corresponding shapedplate that accepts the same sensor. FIG. 31 shows plate 396 inperspective view with a monitor device 397 of the invention. FIG. 32shows an end view illustrating how plate 396 couples with device 397,and particularly with a lower portion 397 a of device 397.

FIG. 33 shows a top view of a long-life accelerometer sensor 420constructed according to the invention. Sensor 420 can for example be aMMD. Accelerometer sensor 420 includes a PCB 422, a processor 424(preferably with internal memory 424 a; memory 424 a may be FLASH), acoin cell battery 426, a plurality of g-quantifying moment arms 428 a-e,and communications module 430. PCB 422 has a matching plurality ofcontacts 432 a-e, which sometimes connect in circuit with correspondingmoment arms 428 a-e. In one embodiment, module 430 is a transponder orRFID tag with internal FLASH memory 430 a. The five moment arms 428 a-eand contacts 432 a-e are shown for illustrative purposes; fewer arm andcontacts can be provided with accelerometer sensor, as few as one tofour or more than five.

Battery 426 serves to power sensor 420. PCB 422 and processor 424 serveto collect data from accelerometer(s) 428 a-e when one or more contactwith contacts 432 a-e. Communications module 430 serves to transmit datafrom sensor 422 to a receiver, such as in communications ports 16, 26.Operation of accelerometer sensor 420 is described with discussion ofFIG. 34.

In illustrative example of operation of sensor 420, moment arm 428 dmoves in direction 434 a when force moves arm 428 d in the otherdirection 434 b. Once arm 428 d moves far enough (corresponding to space436), then arm 428 d contacts contact 432 d. At that point, a circuit iscompleted between arm 428 d, processor 424 and battery 426, such asthrough track lines 438 a, 438 b connecting, respectively, contact 432 dand arm 428 d to other components with PCB 422. A certain amount offorce is required to move arm 428 d to contact 432 d; arm 428 d ispreferably constructed in such a way that that force is known. Forexample, arm 428 d can be made to touch contact 432 d in response to 10g of force in direction 434 a. Other arms 428 a-c, 428 e have differentlengths (or at least different masses) so that they respond to differentforces 434 to make contact with respective contacts 432. In this way,the array of moment arms 428 quantize several g's for accelerometer 100.

In the preferred embodiment, processor 424 includes A/D functionalityand has a “sleep” mode, such as the “pic” 16F873 by MICROCHIP.Accordingly, accelerometer sensor 422 draws very little current duringsleep mode and only wakes up to record contacts between arms 428 andcontacts 432. The corresponding battery life of accelerometer sensor 422is then very long since the only “active” component is processor424—which is only active for very short period outside of sleep mode.Communications module is also active for just a period required totransmit data from sensor 420.

Processor 424 thus stores data events for the plurality of moment arms428. By way of example, moment arms 428 a-e can be made to complete thecircuit with contacts 432 at 25 g (arm 428 e), 20 g (arm 428 d), 15 g(arm 428 c), 10 g (arm 428 b) and 5 g (arm 428 a), and processor 424stores results from the highest g measured by any one arm 428. Forexample, if the accelerometer sensor experiences a force 434 b of 20 g,then each of arms 428 e, 428 d, 428 c and 428 b touch respectivecontacts 432; however only the largest result (20 g for arm 428 b) needsto be recorded since the other arms (428 e-c) cannot measure above theirrespective g ratings. Longer length arms 428 generally measure lessforce due to their increased responsiveness to force. Those skilled inthe art should appreciate that arms 428 can be made with differentmasses, and even with the same length, to provide the same function asshown in FIGS. 33 and 34.

Data events from arms 428 may be recorded in memory 424 a or 430 a. Iffor example communications-module 430 is a transponder or RFID tag, withinternal FLASH memory 430 a, then data is preferably stored in memory430 a when accelerometer sensor 420 wakes up; data is then off-loaded toa receiver interrogating transponder from memory 430 a. Alternatively,processor 424 has memory 424 a and event data is stored there. Module430 might also be an RF transmitter that wirelessly transmits dataoff-board at predetermined intervals.

FIG. 35 shows a circuit 440 illustrating operation of accelerometersensor 420. Processor 424 is minimally powered by battery 426 throughPCB 422, and is generally in sleep mode until a signal is generated byone or more moment arms 428 with corresponding contacts 432. Each armand contact combination 428, 432 serve to sense quantized g loads, asdescribed above, and to initiate an “event” recording at processor 424,the event being generated when the g loads are met. Processor 424 thenstores or causes data transmission of the time tagged g load eventssimilar to the monitor device and receiver of FIG. 1.

FIG. 36 shows a runner speedometer system 450 constructed according tothe invention. A sensor 452 is located with each running shoe 454. Forpurpose of illustration, shoes 454A, 454B are shown at static locations“A” and “B”, corresponding to sequential landing locations of shoes 454.In reality, however, shoes 454 are not stationary while running, andtypically they do not simultaneously land on ground 456 as they appearin FIG. 36. Sensor 452A is located with shoe 454A; sensor 452B islocated with shoe 454B. Sensors 452 may be within each shoe 454 orattached thereto. Sensors 452A, 452B cooperatively function as aproximity sensor configured to determine stride distance 461 betweensensors 452, while running. One or both of sensors 452 have an antenna458 and internal transmitter (not shown). A sensor 452 can for examplebe a monitor device such as shown in FIG. 1, where detector 12 is theproximity sensor and the transmitter is the communications port 16.Receiver 462 is preferably in the form of a runner's watch with anantenna 466 and a communications port (e.g., port 26, FIG. 1) to receivesignals from sensor(s) 452. Receiver 462 also preferably includes aprocessor and driver to drive a display 468. Receiver 462 can forexample have elements 14, 18, 20, 22, 16 of device 10 of FIG. 1.Receiver 462 preferably provides real time clock information in additionto other functions such as displaying speed and distance data describedherein.

In the preferred embodiment, sensors 452 internally process proximitydata to calculate velocity and/or distance as “event” data, and thenwirelessly communicate the event data to receiver 462. Alternatively,proximity data is relayed to receiver 462 without further calculation atsensors 452. Calculations to determine distance or velocity performed bya runner using shoes 454 can be accomplished in sensor(s) 452 or inreceiver 462, or in combination between the two. Distance is determinedby a maximum separation between sensors 452 for a stride; preferably,that maximum distance is scaled by a preselected value determined byempirical methods, since the maximum distance between sensors 452A, 452Bdetermined while running is not generally equal to the actual separation461 between successive foot landings (i.e., while running, only one ofshoes 454 is on the ground at any one time typically, and so the maximumrunning separation is less than actual footprint separation 461—thescaling value accounts for this difference and calibrates system 450).

Velocity is then determined by the maximum stride distance (andpreferably scaled to the preselected value) divided by the timeassociated with shoe 454 impacting ground 456. An accelerometer may beincluded with sensor 452 to assist in determining impacts correspondingto striking ground 456, and hence the time between adjacent impacts forshoe positions A and B. Events may be queued and transmitted in burststo receiver 462; however events are typically communicated at eachoccurrence. Events are preferably time tagged, as described above, toprovide additional timing detail at receiver 462.

FIG. 37 shows an alternative runner speedometer system 480 constructedaccording to the invention. A sensor 482 is located with one runningshoe 484. For purpose of illustration, shoe 484 is shown at two distinctbut separate static locations “A” and “B”, corresponding to successivelanding locations of shoe 484. In reality, shoe 484 is not stationarywhile running, and also does not simultaneously land at two separatelocations A, B on ground 486 as it appears in FIG. 37. Shoe 484 cancorrespond to the left or right foot of a runner using system 480.Sensor 482 is located with shoe 484; it may be within shoe 484 orattached thereto. Sensor 482 has an accelerometer oriented along axis490, direction 490 being generally oriented towards the runner'sdirection of motion 491. Sensor 482 has an antenna 488 and internaltransmitter (not shown). Sensor 482 can for example be a monitor devicesuch as shown in FIG. 1, where detector 12 is the accelerometer orientedwith sensitivity along direction 490, and the transmitter is thecommunications port 16. Sensor 482 transmits travel or acceleration datato receiver 492. Receiver 492 is preferably in the form of a runner'swatch with an antenna 496 and a communications port (e.g., port 26,FIG. 1) to receive signals from sensor 482. Receiver 492 also preferablyincludes a processor and driver to drive a display 498. Receiver 492 canfor example have elements 14, 18, 20, 22, 16 of device 10 of FIG. 1.Receiver 492 preferably provides real time clock information in additionto other functions such as displaying speed and distance data describedherein.

In one embodiment, sensor 482 transmits continuous acceleration data toreceiver 492; and receiver 492 calculates velocity and/or distance basedupon the data, as described in more detail below. Sensor 492 thusoperates much like a MMD 150 described in FIG. 8, and receiver 492processes real time feeds of acceleration data to determine speed and/ordistance. In the preferred embodiment, however, sensor 482 internallyprocesses acceleration data from its accelerometer(s) to calculatevelocity and/or distance as “event” data; it then wirelesslycommunicates the event data to receiver 492 as wireless data 493. Eventsare preferably queued and transmitted in bursts to receiver 492; howeverevents are typically communicated at each occurrence (i.e., after eachset of successive steps from A to B). Events are preferably time tagged,as described above, to provide additional timing detail at receiver 492.

Generally, sensor 482 calculates a velocity and/or distance event aftersensing two “impacts.” Impacts 500 are shown in FIG. 38. Each impact isdetected by the sensor's accelerometer; when shoe 484 strikes ground 486during running, a shock is transmitted through shoe 484 and sensor 482;and sensor 482 detects that impact 500. An additional accelerometer insensor 482, oriented with sensitivity perpendicular to motion direction491, may also be included to assist in detecting the impact; howevereven one accelerometer oriented along motion direction 490 receivesjarring motion typically sufficient to determine impact 500.

Alternatively, sensor 482 calculates velocity and/or distance betweensuccessive low motion regions 502. Regions 502 correspond to when shoeis relatively stationary (at least along direction 491) after landing onground 486 and prior to launching into the air.

Once impact 500 or low motion region 502 is determined within sensor482, sensor 482 integrates acceleration data generated by its internalaccelerometer until the next impact or low motion region to determinevelocity; a double integration of the acceleration data may also beprocessed to determine distance. Preferably, data from the sensoraccelerometer is processed through a low pass filter. Preferably, thatfilter is an analog filter with a pole of about 50 Hz (those skilled inthe art should appreciate that other filters can be used). However,generally only velocity is calculated within sensor 482; and distance iscalculated in receiver 492 based on the velocity information and time Tbetween impacts 500 (or low motion regions 502) of sensor 482.Preferably, velocity is only calculated over the time interval T_(i)between each impact 500. Velocity may alternatively be calculated overan interval that is shorter than T, such that runner velocity is scaledto velocity over the lesser interval. The shorter interval is useful inthat acceleration data is sometimes more consistent over the shorterinterval, and thus much more appropriate as a scalable gauge forvelocity. Given the short time of T, very little drift of accelerometerdata occurs, and velocity may be determined sufficiently. T_(i) istypically less than about one second, and is typically about ½ second orless.

Briefly, the processor within sensor 482 samples accelerometer datawithin each “T” period, or portion of the T period, and integrates thatdata to determine velocity. The initial velocity starting from eachimpact 500 (or low motion region 502) is approximately zero. If A,represents one sample of accelerometer data, and the sampling rate ofthe processor is 200 Hz (i.e., preferably a rate higher than the lowpass filter), then A_(i)/200 represents the velocity for one sampleperiod ( 1/200 second) of the processor. Data 504 illustrates data A_(i)over time t. Since T (in seconds)*200 samples=x samples are taken foreach period T, then the sum of all of the A_(i)/200 for each of the xsamples, divided by the number x, determines average velocity overperiod T. For integrations over a period that is less than T, fewersamples (less than x) are used to calculate velocity.

Sensor 482 calculates and transmits its velocity data to receiver 492.Velocity data V₁ corresponds to period T₁, velocity data V₂ correspondsto period T₂, and so on. Generally, because of processing time, sensor482 in this example transmits V₁ in period T₂, transmits V₂ duringperiod T₃, and so on. Receiver 492 averages V_(i), over time, andcommunicates the average to the runner in useful units, e.g., 10 mph or15 kmph.

Note that if only one accelerometer is provided with each shoe 484, thencalibration of velocity Vi may be made for sensor 452 by calibrationagainst a known reference, e.g., by running after a car or running on atreadmill. More particularly, since the accelerometer is oriented invarious ways during a period T, other than along direction 491, thenerrors are induced due to the acceleration of gravity and other forces.However, since V_(i) is reported sequentially to receiver 492, acorrection factor may be applied to these velocities prior to display ondisplay 498. By way of example, if one runner substantially maintainshis shoes 484 level, such that accelerometers in sensors 492 maintain aconstant orientation along direction 491 during period T, then thereported V_(i) reasonably approximates actual velocity over that period.However if the runner points his shoes with toe towards ground 486,during period T, then only a component of the detected accelerationvector is oriented along direction 491. However, by calibrating system480 against a known reference, a substantially true velocity for eachperiod T may be obtained. Moreover, shoe sensor 482 can have a differentadjustment factor applied for different gaits (e.g., jogging or running,as shoe orientations during period T may vary for different gaits).

Generally, a calibration for velocity is made at least once for eachshoe using the invention, to account for variations in electroniccomponents and other effects. Calibration also adjusts for the gait ofthe runner in orienting the accelerometer relative to ground 486.Preferably, like several of the MMDs described herein, a battery powerssensor 482; and that battery can be replaced once depleted. Implantingthe MMD within shoe 484 is beneficial in that a fixed orientation,relative to direction 491, is made at each landing.

To alleviate the problems associated with acceleration errors, onepreferred sensor 482′ for a shoe 484′ is shown in FIG. 39. Sensor 482′is shown in a side cross sectional view (not to scale); and motiondirection 491′ of the runner is shown in relation to accelerometerorientation axes 506 a, 506 b and ground 486′. Shoe 484′ is shown flaton ground 486′ and generally having a sole orientation 487 also at angleθ relative to accelerometer axis 506 a. Sensor 482′ has at least atwo-axis accelerometer 510 (or, alternatively, a three axisaccelerometer, with the third axis oriented in direction 506 c) as thesensor detector, with one axis 506 a oriented at angle θ relative toground 486′ (and hence relative to shoe sole 487 on ground 486′). Angleθ is chosen, preferably, such that accelerometer axis 506 a maximallyorients along axis 491′ while the runner runs. Specifically, sinceduring a period T the toe of shoe 484′ tips towards ground 486′ whilerunning, then angle θ approximately orients that accelerometer such thatits sensitive axis 506 a is parallel with axis 491′ for at least part ofperiod T_(i). Angle θ can be approximately forty-five degrees. Otherangles are also suitable; for example an angle θ of zero degrees isdescribed in connection with FIG. 37, and other angles up to aboutseventy-five degrees may also function sufficiently. Axis 506 b ispreferably oriented with sensitivity perpendicular to orientation 506 a.Data from accelerometer 510 is communicated to low pass filter 511 andthen to processor 512 where it is sampled as data A_(i, a, b, c) (a, b,c representing the two or three separate axes 506 a-c of sensitivity foraccelerometer 510). Data A_(i, a, b, c) is then used to (a) determineimpacts 500 (and/or low motion regions 502), as above, and (b) determineV_(i) based upon A_(i, a, b, c) for any given period T_(i) (or for anypart of a period T). Errors in V_(i) are corrected by processing theseveral components A_(i, a, b, c) of the acceleration data. If forexample data A_(i, a) is “zero” for part of period T, then either theshoe is at constant velocity, or stopped; or if A_(i, a) is “one” thenit is substantially oriented with the toe greatly tipped towards ground486′, such that that accelerometer reads the acceleration due to gravityonly. Data A_(i, b) may be used to determine which physical case it is,and to augment the whole A_(i) data stream in determining V_(i).

Once processor 512 determines V_(i) for period T_(i), thencommunications port 514 transmits V_(i) to the user's watch receiver(e.g., receiver 492, FIG. 37) as wireless data 515. The watch receivercalculates a useful runner speed, e.g., 15 km/hour, and displays that tothe user. Battery 516 powers sensor 482′.

Note that the systems of FIG. 36, 37, 39 provide other benefitsassociated with upward or downward movement and work functions. Suchupward or downward movement, when determined, defines a change ofpotential energy that may be reported as work or caloric burn. Forexample, accelerometer 510 can include multiple axes, such that angle θmay be determined. By knowing vertical climb, even over short distances,a work function is created. An inclinometer or angle measurement mayalso be integrated into such systems, and work functions may also bedetermined on a hill. Certain MMDs of the invention include for examplespeed detectors (e.g., accelerometers or Doppler radar devices) todetermine speed. By using the hill angle for the upward or downwardmovement, with speed, another work function is created associated withthe climb or descent. Such a work function can add to caloricconsumption calculations in fitness or biking applications. Suchinventions are also useful in determining whether the climb occurred ona hill or on stairs, also assisting the work function calculation.

There are several advantages of the invention of FIGS. 36-39. The priorart such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,654, incorporated by reference,describes a calculating pedometer; but the system does not automaticallycalculate speed and distance as the invention does. Another patent, U.S.Pat. No. 5,955,667, also incorporated herein by reference, requires theuse of a tilt sensor or other mechanism that determines the angularorientation of accelerometers relative to a datum plane. The inventiondoes not require tilt sensors or the continual determination of theangle of the accelerometers relative to a fresh datum plane.

FIG. 40 shows one runner speedometer system 520 constructed according tothe invention. System 520 includes a GPS monitor device 522,accelerometer-based monitor device 524, and wrist instrument 526. Device522 is similar to device 10 of FIG. 1 except detector 12 is a GPSchipset receiving and decoding GPS signals. Device 522 has a processor(e.g., processor 12, FIG. 1) that communicates with the chipset detectorto determine speed and/or distance. Speed and/or distance can beaccurately determined without knowing absolute location, as in the GPSsensors of the prior art. Speed and/or distance information is thenwirelessly communicated, via its communications port, to wristinstrument 526 as wireless data 531. Instrument 526 is preferably adigital watch with functionality such as receiver 24, FIG. 1.Preferably, device 522 clips into clothing pocket of the runner's shirt530. As described above, system 520 includes one or twoaccelerometer-based devices 524 in runner shoes 532. Device(s) 524 inshoe(s) 532 augment GPS device 522 to improve speed and/or distanceaccuracy of system 520; however either device 522, 524 may be usedwithout the other. Together, however, system 520 preferably providesapproximately 99% or better accuracy (for speed and/or distance) undernon-obscured sky conditions. Wrist instrument 526 collates data from GPSdevice 522 and accelerometer device(s) 524 to provide overall speed anddistance traveled information, as well as desired timing and fitnessdata metrics.

System 520 thus preferably has at least one MMD 524 attached to, orwithin, runner shoe 532; MMD 524 of the preferred embodiment includes atleast one accelerometer arranged to detect forward acceleration ofrunner 525. A processor within MMD 524 processes the forwardacceleration to determine runner speed. Additional accelerometers in MMD524 may be used, as described herein, to assist in determining speedwith improved accuracy. In the preferred embodiment, MMD 524 wirelesslytransmits speed as wireless data 527 to wrist instrument 526, wherespeed is displayed for runner 525. System 520 providing speed from asingle MMD 524 can provide speed accuracy of about 97%. To improveaccuracy, a second MMD 524 (not shown) is attached to, or placed within,a second shoe 532; the second MMD 524 also determining runner speed.Speed information from a second shoe 532 b is thus combined with speedinformation from shoe 532 a to provide improved speed accuracy to runner525; for example, the two speeds from shoes 532 a, 532 b are averaged.System 520 providing speed from a pair of MMDs 524 can provide speedaccuracy of better than 97%.

System 520 works as a runner speedometer with MMD 524 (or multiple MMDs524, one in each shoe 532). However, to improve accuracy of speeddelivered to runner 525, a GPS chip device 522 is attached to clothing530 of runner 525. Device 522 may for example be placed within a pocketof clothing 530, the pocket being in the shoulder region so that device522 has a good view of the sky. Device 522 processes successive GPSsignals to determine a speed based upon successive positions. System 520utilizing device 522 thus provides enhanced speed to runner 525 whenusing device 522. Speed from device 522 is communicated to wristinstrument 526 where it is displayed for runner 525. Preferably,instrument 526 uses speed from device 522 when speed data is consistentand approximately similar to speed data from MMD 524. Instrument 526alternatively combines speed data from device 522 and device 524 toprovide a composite speed. If device 522 is obscured, so GPS signals arenot available, then system 520 provides speed to runner 525 solely fromMMD 524 (or multiple MMDs 524, one in each shoe). As an alternative,device 522 can be integrated within a pocket in a hat worn by runner525, such that device 522 again has an un-obscured view of the sky.

FIG. 41 shows a computerized bicycle system 540 constructed according tothe invention. In use, system 540 determines caloric burn or “work”energy expended, among other functions described herein. System 540includes fore/aft tilt sensor 542 and speed sensor 544; sensors 542, 544determine then wirelessly transmit bicycle tilt information and speedinformation, respectively, and as wireless data 545, to receiver anddisplay 546. A processor (not shown) in receiver and display 546combines data from sensors 542, 544 to determine elevation change, and,hence, work energy (e.g., change of potential energy); receiver anddisplay 546 then displays work energy to a user of bicycle system 540.Work energy may be converted to caloric burn, in one embodiment of theinvention. Sensor 542 may include a small gyroscope or an electrolytictype tilt device, known in the art, as the detector for measuringbicycle tilt. Speed sensor 544 is readily known in the art; however thecombination of speed sensor 544 with other sensors of FIG. 41 providesnew and useful data accord with the invention.

System 540 can additionally include crank torque measurement sensor 548.Sensor 548 preferably includes a strain gauge connected with bicyclecrank 550 to measure force applied to pedals 552 and wheels 554.Preferably, a sensor 548 is applied to each pedal so that system 540determines the full effort applied by the cyclist on any terrain.Sensor(s) 548 accumulate, process and transmit tension data to receiverand display 546. System 540 can additionally include tension measurementsensor 556 used to measure tension of chain 558. Sensor 556 similarlyaccumulates, processes and transmits tension data to receiver anddisplay 546. Device 546 preferably includes processing and memoryelements (e.g., similar to receiver 231, FIG. 10G) to accumulate andprocess data from one or more of sensors 542, 544, 548, 556 in thedesired way for a user of system 540.

As alternatives to system 540, without departing from the scope of theinvention, those skilled in the art should appreciate that (1) sensor542 may be combined with either of sensor 544 or receiver 546; (2)sensors 542 and 544 may communicate through electrical wiring instead ofthrough wireless communications; (3) a GPS sensor providing earthlocation and altitude may instead provide the data of sensors 542, 544for system 540; and (4) receiver and display 546 may instead be a watchmounted to a user's wrist. Preferably, system 540 includes memory, e.g.,within receiver and display 546, that stores gradient informationassociated with a certain ride on terrain, and then provides a “traildifficulty” assessment for the stored data. Maximum and minimumgradients are also preferably stored and annotated in memory for laterreview by a user of system 540.

FIG. 42 shows a system 600 constructed according to the invention.System 600 is particularly useful for application to spectator sportslike NASCAR. System 600 in one application thus includes an array ofdata capture devices 602 coupled to racecars 604. A data capture device602 may for example be a monitor device as described herein, with one ora plurality of detectors to monitor movement metrics. As describedbelow, data capture devices 602 preferably have wireless transmittersconnected with antennas to transmit wireless data 606 to listeningreceivers 608. Receivers 608 can take the form of a computer relay 608 aand/or a crowd data device 608 b, each of which is described below. Inthe preferred embodiment, data capture devices 602 communicate wirelessdata 606 to computer relay 608 a; and computer relay 608 a relays selectwireless data 610 to a plurality of crowd data devices 608 b. However,data capture devices 602 can directly relay wireless data 606 to crowddata devices 608 b, if desired, and as a matter of design choice. Crowddata devices 608 b are provided to spectators 612 during a sportingevent, such as a NASCAR race of racecars 604 on racetrack 605. Devices608 b may be rented, sold or otherwise provided to spectators 612, suchas in connection with ticketing to access racetrack 605, and to sit inspectator stands 616. Data devices 608 b may also be modified personaldata devices or cell phones enabled to interpret wireless data 606and/or 610 for display of relevant information to its owner-spectator.Access to data 606, 610 in this manner is preferably accomplishedcontractually such that the cell phones or data devices have encodedinformation necessary to decode wireless data 606 and/or 610.

Wireless data 606 can for example be at 2.4 GHz since data capturedevice 602 may be sufficiently powered from racecars 604. Wireless data610 can for example be unlicensed frequencies such as 433 MHz or 900-928MHz, so that each crowd data device 608 b may be powered by smallbatteries such as described herein in connection with receivers formonitor devices. Wireless data 610 can further derive from cellularnetworks, if desired, to communicate directly with a crowd data device.Wireless link 606 and 610 can encompass two way communications, ifdesired, such as through wireless transceivers.

Computer relay 608 a may further provide data directly to a displayscoreboard 614 so that spectators 612 may view scoreboard 614 forinformation derived by system 600. Scoreboard 614 may for example benear to spectator stand 616.

FIG. 43 shows one data capture device 602′ constructed according to theinvention. Device 602′ may be attached to car 604′ or integrated withcar 604′. For purposes of illustration, car 604′ is only partiallyshown, with wheels 605 and body 607. Preferably, device 602′ isintegrated with existing car electronics 618. For example, carelectronics 618 typically include a speedometer and tachometer, andother gauges for fuel and overheating. Device 602′ thus preferablyintegrates and communicates with car electronics 618, as illustrated byoverlapping dotted lines between items 602′ and 618. Device 602′ alsocommunicates desired metric information to spectators 612 (eitherdirectly or through computer relay 608 a). Device 602′ thus includes awireless transmitter 620 and antenna 622 to generate wireless data 606′.

Data relayed to spectators 612 can be of varied format. Device 602′ canfor example be a MMD with a detector providing acceleration information.Acceleration data in the form of “g's” and impact is one preferred datacommunicated to spectators 612 through wireless data 606′. Car 604′ mayin addition have accelerometers as part of car electronics; and device602′ preferably communicates on-board acceleration data as wireless data606′. Device 602′ and car electronics 618 can for example include aspeedometer, accelerometer, tachometer, gas gauge, spin sensor,temperature gauge, and driver heart rate sensor. An on-board computercan further provide position information about car 604′ position withinthe current race (e.g., 4^(th) out of fifteen racecars). Accordingly,device 602′ collects data from these sensors and electronic sources andcommunicates one or more of the following information as wireless data606′: racecar speed, engine revolutions per minute, engine temperature,driver heart rate, gas level, impact, g's, race track position, and spininformation. As described in connection with the monitor devices above,data 606′ may be continually transmitted or transmitted at timedsequence intervals, e.g., every minute. Data 606′ may also betransmitted when an event occurs, e.g., when a major impact is reportedby a device 602′ (e.g., in the form of a MMD) such as when car 604′experiences a crash. A spin sensor also preferably quantifies rolloverrate, acceleration and total rotations (e.g., four flips of the car is1440 degrees).

FIG. 44 shows one crowd data device 608 b′ constructed according to theinvention. Device 608 b′ in one embodiment is a cell phone constructedand adapted to interpret information from wireless data 606′ (or data610). Device 608 b′ can also be a receiver such as receiver 24 ofFIG. 1. Device 608 b′ preferably includes a display 621 to displaymetrics acquired from information within wireless data 606′ (and/or data610). Communications port 623 and antenna 624 capture data 606′ and/or610. An internal processor decodes and drives display 621. On-Off button628 turns device 608 b′ on and off. Car selector button 630 provides forselecting which car 604′ to review data from. Data mode button 632provides for selecting which data to view from selected car 604′.

Data captured by device 608 b′ may be from one car or from multiple cars604. Car selection button 630 can be pressed to capture all data 606′from all cars, or only certain data from one car, or variants thereof.In one embodiment, the update rate transferred as wireless data 606′from any car 604′ to any crowd data device is about one second; and soeach device generally acquires data from one car at any one time and“immediately” (i.e., within about one second) acquires data from anothercar if selected by button 630. Alternatively, all data 606′ from allcars 604 are communicated and captured to each device 608 b′. Thisalternative mode however uses more data bandwidth to devices 608 b′.

Accordingly, users of crowd data device 608 b′ may view performance anddata metrics from any car of choice during a race. Currently, spectatorsonly have a vague feel for what is actually happening to a car at a racebetween multiple cars 604. With the invention, a spectator can monitorher car of choice and review data personally desired. One spectatormight for example be interested in the driver heart rate of one car; oneother spectator might for example be interested in the speed of the leadcar; yet another spectator might for example be interested in thetemperature of the top four cars; most spectators are concerned aboutwhich car is the lead car. In accord with the invention, each spectatormay acquire personal desired data in near real time and display it onindividual crowd data devices in accord with the invention. Datacaptured from system 600 can further be relayed to the Internet or tobroadcast media through computer relay 608 a, if desired, so thatperformance metrics may be obtained at remote locations and, again, innear real time.

The invention also provides for displaying certain data at displayscoreboard 614. Computer relay 608 a may in addition connect to raceofficials with computers that quantify or collate car order and otherdetails like car speed. Such data can be relayed to individuals throughcrowd data devices 608 b or through scoreboard 614, or both.

System 600 may be applied to many competitive sports. For example, whenthe data capture device is like a MMD, system 600 can be applied tosports like hockey, basketball, football, soccer, volleyball and rodeos.A MMD in the form of an adhesive bandage, described above, isparticularly useful. Such a MMD can for example be applied with footballbody armor or padding, as illustrated in FIG. 45. FIG. 45 shows afootball player's padding 650 with a MMD 652. MMD 652 can be appliedexternal to padding 650, though it is preferably constructed internallyto padding 650. MMD 652 operates like a data capture device 602 ofsystem 600 (FIG. 42). MMD 652 can for example capture and relay impactinformation to spectators of a football game, where each of the playerswears body armor or padding such as padding 650, to provide performancemetrics for all players and to individual spectators. Impacts from blowsbetween players may then be obtained for any player for relay to anyspectator or user of the Internet according to the teachings of theinvention. Device 652 can alternatively include other detectors, e.g.,heart-rate detectors, to monitor fitness and tiredness levels ofathletes in real time; preferably, in this aspect, MMD 652 attachesdirectly to the skin of the player.

Likewise, a MMD of the invention is effectively used in rodeo, as shownin FIG. 46. Preferably one MMD 654 attaches to the saddle 656 of theanimal 658 ridden in the rodeo (or to the horn of a bull, or to a ropeattached to the animal), and one MMD 660 attaches to the rider 662 onanimal 658. Each MMD generates a signal, similar to signals 154, 156 ofFIG. 8A. As such, data from each MMD 654, 660 can be compared to theother to assess how well rider 662 rides in saddle 656. This comparisonmay be beneficially used in judging, removing subjectivity from thesport. For example, by attaching MMD 660 with the pant-belt 662A ofrider 662, if signals from MMDs 654, 660 collate appropriately, thenrider 662 is efficiently riding animal 658. Of course, one MMD 654 or660 can also be used beneficially to report metrics such as impact tothe audience.

FIG. 47 shows a representative television or video monitor display 678of a bull 670 and bull rider 672, as well as a plurality of MMDs 674A-Dattached thereto to monitor certain aspects of bull and rider activity,in accord with the invention. Display 678 also includes a graphic 676providing data from one or more of MMDs 674 so that a view of display678 can review movement metric content associated bull and/or rideractivity. In exemplary operation, MMD 674A is attached to back rope 680so as to monitor, for example, rump bounce impacts and frequency; MMD674B is attached to rider rope 682 so as to monitor, for example,loosening of the grip of rider 672 onto bull 670; MMD 674C is attachedto bull horn 684 so as to monitor, for example, bull head bounce andfrequency; and MMD 674D is attached to rider 672 so as to monitor, forexample, rider bounce and frequency, and impact upon being thrown frombull 670. A sensor (not shown) may also attach to the rider's foot orboot, if desired. MMDs 674 can for example be coupled to areconstruction computer and receiver 152 of FIG. 8A, so as to processmultiple MMDs 674 and to report meaningful data to a television,scoreboard and/or the Internet. Data collected from MMDs 674 in oneembodiment are collated and stored in a database so as to characterizebull strength and throwing efficiency over time. For example, by lookingat magnitude and frequency of acceleration data from MMD 674C over timefor a particular bull provides detail as to how the bull behaves overtime. Professional bull riding media can then better gauge which bullsto use for which riders and events.

Those skilled in the art should also appreciate that MMDs 674 caninclude different detectors providing data desired by sports media. Forexample, if the MMD contains a linear accelerometer, linear motionforces are reported; if the MMD contains a rotational accelerometer,rotational forces are reported. These MMDs may be placed on variousparts of bull 670 or rider 672, such as on the body and head. Data fromMMDs may be relayed to television, scoreboards and/or the Internet. Datacollated on the Internet preferably includes bull and rider performancesummaries.

FIG. 48 shows one EMD or MMD 684 constructed according to the invention.EMD or MMD 684 has specific advantages as a “wearable” sensor, similarto MMD 10″, FIG. 2. EMD or MMD 684 utilizes “flex strip” 688 (known inthe art) to mount mini-PCBs 686 (devices 686 can also be silicon chips)directly thereto. As a whole, EMD or MMD 684 can “wrap” about objectsand persons to fulfill the variety of needs disclosed herein. By way ofexample, EMD or MMD 684 is useful for comfortable attachment to therodeo rider 662, FIG. 46, such as to monitor and report “impact” events.Another such EMD or MMD 684 may be attached to a bull or rider tomonitor and report heartbeat. In one embodiment, a Kapton flex circuit688 connects battery 690 to the PCBs 686, and PCBs 686 to one other, soas to flexibly conform to the shape of the underlying object or body. Inone option, EMD or MMD 684 is all housed high-density foam or similarflexible housing 694; this can maximize the EMD or MMD's protection andallow it to be worn close to the object of body. For example, such anEMD or MMD 684 may be worn on the torso of a person, where accurateg-levels seen by the body can be measured. In one embodiment, battery690 is a plastic Lithium-ion power cell that has a malleable plasticcase with any variety of form factor. Other batteries may also be used,in accord with the invention.

The invention of one preferred embodiment employs data taken frommonitor devices such as described above and applies that data to videogames, arcade games, computer games and the like (collectively a “game”)to “personalize” the game to real ability and persons. For example, whena monitor device is used to capture airtime (and e.g., heart rate) of asnowboarder, that data is downloaded to a database for a game and usedto “limit” how a game competitor plays the game. In this way, asnowboard game player can compete against world-class athletes, andothers, with some level of realism provided by the real data used in thegame.

More particularly, one missing link in the prior art between video gamesand reality is that one a person can be great at a video game andrelatively poor at a corresponding real sport (e.g., if the game is asnowboard game, the player may not be a good snowboarder; if the game isa car race, the person may not be a good race car driver; and so on).With performance metrics captured as described herein, the data isapplied such that an entirely new option is provided with games. Asknown in the art, games take the form of PLAYSTATION, SEGA, GAMEBOY,etc.

In operation the invention of the preferred embodiment works as follows.Individuals use a monitor device to measure one or more performancemetrics in real life. Data from the monitor devices are then downloadedinto a game (or computer running the game) for direct use by the game.Data used in the game may be averaged or it may be the best score for aparticular player. By way of example, when the performance metric is“airtime”, the option applied to the game allows the game player(typically a teenager) to measure a certain number of airtimes, in reallife, and download them into the game so that the air the game player‘catches’ during the game corresponds to his real airtime (e.g., bestairtime, average airtime, etc.). Data used in games can be collated andinterpreted in many ways, such as an individual's best seven airtimes ofa day or a personal all time record for an airtime jump.

The effect of the invention applied to games is that game users aresomewhat restricted in what they can do. In a ski game, for example, akid that does not have the natural athletic ability to do flips willnot, if the option is selected, be permitted to perform flips in a game.Competitions within games then become far more real. If a kid catchesonly one second of airtime, on average, then it is unlikely that he cancatch three seconds of airtime like Olympic athletes; accordingly, whenthe gaming option is selected, those kids will not be permitted withinthe game to throw airtime (and corresponding tricks that require likeairtimes) of three seconds or higher, for example. The game restrictsthem to doing tricks that could actually be completed in their normalairtime.

There would of course still be elements making the game unrealistic, andfun. The invention applied to games does however add a measure ofrealism to the games. For example, limiting a game to airtime mayrestrict movements to certain types, e.g., one flip instead of two. Thisis one example of how the invention applied to games makes the game muchmore real. Another gaming option is to permit the gaming user to expandtheir current real performance by some percentage. For example, a gaminguser can instruct the game to permit 100% performance boost to his realdata in competitions in the game. In this way, the gaming user knows howfar off his real performance is from gaming performance. If for exampleit takes a 120% performance boost to beat a well-known Olympic athlete,then she knows (at least in some quasi-quantitative measure) how muchharder she will need to work (i.e., 20%) to compete with the Olympicathlete.

Similar limitations to the games may be done with other metricsdiscussed herein, including drop distance, speed and impact, heart rateand other metrics. For example, by acquiring “impact” data through a MMDof the invention, it is known how much impact a particular athleteachieves during a jump or during a particular activity. By way ofexample, by collecting impact data from a boxer or karate athlete, it isroughly known the magnitude of impacts that that person endures. Suchlimitations are applied to games, in accord with other embodiments ofthe invention. Accordingly, a video game competitor may be limited toactions that he or she can actually withstand in real life. Spin ratestoo can limit the game in similar ways.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, data from monitor devicesapplied to persons are downloaded as performance metrics into games.These metrics become parameters that are adhered to by the player if thegaming option is selected within the game. The ability to play the game,and the moving of the correct buttons, joystick or whatever, is thuslinked to the real sport. By way of example, PLAYSTATION has a ‘worldchampionship’ for the games. In accord with the invention, game playersmay now compete with their ability tied to competitions within the game,making it much more realistic on the slopes, vert ramp or other gameobstacle.

In accord with one embodiment, systems like system 600 are alsoeffectively applied to “venues” like skateparks. The data capturedevices (preferably in the form of MMDs) are applied to individual usersof the venue, e.g., skateboarders. Data acquired from the users aretransmitted to a computer relay that in turn connects directly to gameproviders or Internet gaming sources. The venues are thus linked togames. Resorts with venues such as terrain parks are thus incentivizedto make their venue part of the gaming world, where kids play in theirpark in synthesized video, and then actually use the venue to acquiredata for use with the game. By tying competitors together from realvenues to gaming, a real venue and a game venue become much more alike.Stigmas associated with playing games may also be reduced because gamingis then tied to reality and kids can participate in meaningful ways,both at the venue and within the game. Kids can then compete based uponreal ability at both the game and in real life.

FIG. 49 shows one network gaming system 700 constructed according to theinvention. System 700 operates to collect data from one or more monitordevices 702, such as through an Internet connection 703 with multiplehome users of devices 702. A server 704 collates performance data andrelays parameters to games. By way of example, server 704 relays theseparameters to a computer game 705 through Internet connection 706. Game705 includes a real personal data module 708 that stores parameters fromserver 704. Users of computer game 705 may select an option to invokethe parameters of module 708, thereby limiting the game as describedabove.

As an alternative, users of devices 702 may directly download gameparameters to computer game 705, as through a local data link 710. Usersmay also type game parameters directly into module 708. In either case,computer game 705 has real limiting functions to gaming actions via theinvention. Preferably server 704 controls the download of data tocomputer game 705 so that data is controlled and collated in a masterdatabase for other uses and competitions.

System 700 can further network with an arcade game 720 in a similarmanner, such as through Internet connection 718. Real performance datais again stored in real personal data module 722 in game 720 (or at thecomputer controlling game 720) so that users have restrictions uponplay. User ID codes facilitate storing and accessing data to aparticular person. In this way, users of arcade games can access andlimit their games to real data associated with their skill. Competitionsbetween players at arcade games, each with their own real personal datain play, increase the competitiveness and fairness of game playing.

FIG. 50 illustrates a simplified flow chart of game operation such asdescribed above. A start of a game maneuver starts at step 730. A startmay be initiated by a joy stick action, or button action, for example.Prior to performing the action, the game compares the desired gamemaneuver with real personal data, at step 732. At step 734, a comparisonis made to determine whether the requested maneuver is withinpreselected limits (e.g., within a certain percentage from real personaldata) related to the real personal data. If the answer is yes, then thegame performs the maneuver, at step 736. If the answer is no, then thegame modifies, restricts or stops the maneuver, at step 738.

FIG. 51 shows one speed detection system 800 constructed according tothe invention. System 800 includes a ticket reader 802 for each ski lift804. For example, reader 802-1 covers ski lift 804-1 to read tickets ofpersons riding ski lift 804-1; reader 802-2 covers lift 804-2 to readtickets of persons riding lift 804-2. Lift 804-1 carries persons (e.g.,skiers and snowboarders) between locations “A” and “B”; lift 804-2carries persons from locations “C” to “D”. These persons travel (e.g.,by ski or snowboard) from location B to A by approximate distance B-A,from location B to C by approximate distance B-C, from location D to Aby approximate distance D-A, and from location D to C by approximatedistance D-C.

Approximate distances B-A, B-C, D-A, D-C are stored in remote computer806. Specifically, computer 806 has memory 808 to store distances B-A,B-C, D-A, D-C. Computer 806 and readers 804 preferably communicate bywireless data 810-1, 810-2; thus computer 806 preferably has antenna812, and associated receiver and transmitter 814, to facilitatecommunications 810. Computer 806 further has a processor 816 to processdata and to facilitate control of computer 806.

A representative reader 802′ is shown in FIG. 52. Reader 802′ has anantenna 820 and transmitter/receiver 822 to facilitate communications810′ with computer 806. Among other functions, reader 802′ reads skilift tickets such as ticket 826 of a person riding lifts 804 via a scanbeam 807. Ticket 826 usually includes a bar code 828 read by reader802′.

In operation, a ticket 826 is read each time for persons riding lifts804. A time is associated with when the ticket is read and logged intocomputer 806. When that ticket 826 again is read, e.g., either at lift804-1 or 804-2, a second reading time is logged into computer 806.Processor 816 of computer 806 then determines speed based upon (a) thetwo reading times, (b) the approximate lift time for the appropriatelift 804, and (c) the distance traveled (i.e., one of distances B-A,B-C, D-A, D-C). For example, suppose a person enters lift 804-1 at 9 amexactly and enters lift 804-2 at 9:14 am. Suppose lift 804-1 takes tenminutes, on average, to move a rider from A to B. Accordingly, thisperson traveled distance B-C in four minutes. If distance B-C is twomiles, then that person traversed distance B-C with a speed of 30 mph.If the resort where system 800 is installed sets a maximum speed of 25mph for the mountain 801, then that person exceeded the speed and may beexpelled from the resort. Note further that the resort may specify speedzones, corresponding to each of the paths B-A, B-C, D-A, D-C. If forexample path B-A has a wide path, then a speed may be set at 30 mph. Aperson successively repeating lift 804-1 may thus be checked for speedsexceeding 30 mph. If on the other hand path D-A has a lot of trees, thena speed of 20 mph may be set; and a rider who rides lift 804-2 andarrives at lift 804-1 can be checked for violations along route D-A.

When a ski lift 804 stops, then additional time is added to thatperson's journey. A feedback data mechanism tracking lift movement canaugment data in computer 806 to adjust skier speed calculations ondynamic basis.

Note that system 800 serves to replace or augment sensor 231′ of FIG.10I. Since sensor 231′ independently determines speed, then reader 802may for example read sensor 231′ to see whether speeds were exceeded forone or more zones. Sensor 231′ may instead have a visual indicator whichis triggered when a person exceeds a speed limit in any of zones forB-A, B-C, D-A, D; and a human operator sees the indicator when there isa violation.

As shown in FIG. 53, one monitor device 840 of the inventionincorporates a GPS receiver chip 842 to locate device 840. Device 840 ispreferably integrated with an adhesive strip such as discussed in FIG.2. Device 840 also preferably “powers on” when opened and dispensed,such as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10. In operation, device 840 is generallyapplied to persons or objects to assess, locate and log “events”. By wayof example, by attaching device 840 to a new computer shipped to aretailer, an impact event may be recorded and stored in memory 846 by anaccelerometer detector 844, as described above, and a locationassociated with the impact event is also stored, as provided by GPS chip842. As such, for example, the exact amount of damage received by thecomputer, as well as the exact location of where the damage occurred, isstored in memory 846. As described herein, other detectors 844 may beused to generate “events” (e.g., a spin event, or an airtime event,temperature, humidity, flip-over events, etc.) in conjunction with GPSchip 842. Data in memory 846 is relayed to a receiver 850 having dataaccess codes of device 840. Alternatively, data is communicated toreceiver 850 by wireless and timed-sequence transmissions.Communications ports 852, 854 facilitate data transfers 860 betweendevice 840 and receiver 850. Transfers 860 may be one way, or two-way,as a matter of design choice. A clock 862 may be incorporated intodevice 840 to provide timing and/or real-time clock information used totime tag data events from one or both of detector 844 and GPS chip 842.As above, a battery 864 serves to power device 840. A processor 848serves to manage and control device 840 to achieve its functionality.

FIG. 54 shows a system 866 suitable for use with a device 840, or withother MMDs or EMDs disclosed herein. System 866 has particularadvantages in the shipping industry, wherein a device 865 (e.g., device840, or one or more EMDs or MMDs) attaches to a package 867 (or to thegoods 868 within package 867) so that system 866 can monitor dataassociated with shipment of goods and package 868, 867. Multiple devices865 may be attached to package 867 or goods 868 as needed or required toobtain the data of interest. Certain data determined by device 865,during shipment, include, for example, impact data or g's, temperature,data indicating being inverted, humidity and other metrics. In sum, oneor more of these data are wirelessly communicated, as wireless data 863,to an interrogation device reader 869 to assess the data correspondingto shipment conditions and/or abuse of package 867 and/or goods 868.Data 863 preferably includes “time tag” data indicating when a certain“event” occurred, e.g., when goods 868 experienced a 10 g event.Preferably, data from reader 869 is further relayed to a remote database871 so that system 866 may be operated with other similar systems 866 soas to monitor a large amount of packages and goods shipments atdifferent locations. Damaged goods can for example be evaluated by anyreader 869 and recorded into a common database 871 by the controllingcompany.

The invention of FIG. 54 thus has certain advantages. Companies thatship expensive equipment 868 have an incentive to prove to the receiverthat any damage incurred was not the result of faulty packaging 867 orunsatisfactory production and assembly. Also, shipment insurers want toknow when and where damage occurs, so that premiums may be adjustedappropriately or so that evidence may be offered to encourage theoffending party to improve handling procedures.

The monitor devices of the invention have further application inmedicine and patient health. One monitor device 870 of the invention isshown in FIG. 55. Specifically, device 870 attaches to a baby's body 872(e.g., to a baby's chest, throat, leg, arm, buttocks or back) to monitormovement such as respiratory rate, pulse rate, or body accelerations.Device 870 of the preferred embodiment synchronizes to repetitivemovements (e.g., pulse rate or respiratory rate) and generates an“event” in the absence of the repetitive movements. Device 870 can forexample be device 10 w, FIG. 2E, facilitating easy placement on theinfant by the adhesive strip (which is also beneficially sterilized) tomeasure heart rate as an event. Device 870 can alternatively be amonitor device using a microphone to detect “breathing” as a healthmetric for the infant. Regardless of the metric, the event reported bydevice 870 is preferably communicated immediately as wireless signals874 to a remote monitor 876, with an antenna 878 to receive signals 874.Monitor 876 is preferably portable so as to be carried with the infant'sparents. Monitor 876 generates an audible or visual alarm when an eventis received from signals 874. Device 870 seeks to address the veryrealistic concern of parents relative to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome,or other illnesses. Device 870 preferably relays a warning event data toalarm monitor 876 within seconds of detecting trouble with the infant.For example, if device 870 detects the absence of heart rate orbreathing, the alarm at monitor 876 is made in near real time.

Like other monitor devices herein, device 870 has a detector 870 a todetect the desired metric. For purposes of illustration, other elementssuch as the device's communications port and processor are not shown,though reference may be made to FIG. 1 to construct device 870. In oneembodiment, detector 870 a is a piezoelectric element that generates avoltage signal at every pulse or breath of baby 872, such as shown anddescribed in FIG. 7-7B. Detector 870 a may alternatively be anaccelerometer arranged to sense accelerations of the infant's chest (orother body portion); and thus chest (or other body portion)accelerations are used to determine the repetitive signal (or simplymovement or absence of movement). Preferably, the sensitive axis of theaccelerometer is perpendicular to baby body 872. For example, such anaccelerometer can be used to sense accelerations of the baby's chest,rising and falling. In still another embodiment, detector 870 a is aforce-sensing resistor or electro-resistive element generating signalsresponsive to force or weight applied to device 870. Such a device isuseful to sense when baby body 872 rolls onto device 870. Yet anotherdetector 870 a is a Hall Effect detector; that detector within device870 detects when baby body 872 inverts, that is when the baby rollsover. A roll over event is one particular event of interest by parents;and in this embodiment, a warning signal 874 is generated at each rollover. Detector 870 a can alternatively be a microphone; and the device'sprocessor processes the sound data to detect recurring audible dataindicative of breathing sounds.

Preferably, device 870 is integrated with an adhesive strip 880; anddevice 870 and strip 880 form an adhesive bandage monitor device such asdescribed above in connection with FIGS. 2-2D, 8C. Device 870 and strip880 are also preferably packaged so as to “power on” when dispensed orused. A wrapper such as described in FIGS. 4-4A may be used; orpreferably device 870 and wrapper 880 dispense from a canister 200, 200′such as described above in FIGS. 10-10F. In this way, device 870 isconveniently dispensed and applied to baby body 872, and withoutcontamination and germs.

Those skilled in the art should appreciate that device 870 may alsoattach to the infant in a variety of places depending on the parent'sdesire. Device 870 may for example attach to the back or bottom of theinfant, and generate an event for every time the infant rolls over.

FIG. 56 shows a flowchart of steps associated with applying and usingone monitor device according to the invention. At start 884, the deviceis unwrapped and/or dispensed from a container. The device is thenapplied to a baby's body, preferably as an adhesive bandage package, instep 886. Once applied, the device synchronizes to baby body movement(such as repetitive movements associated with pulse or respiratoryrate), breathing sounds or heart rate, in step 888. The device thensearches for “events” in the form of the absence of repetitive signals,indicating for example the danger of an absence of pulse, heart rate orrespiration, in step 890. In step 892, the monitor device generates awireless signal as a warning; that signal is received at a remotereceiver at step 894. Once received, remote receiver generates anaudible alarm (e.g., a buzzer sounds) or visible alarm (e.g., an LED islit), in step 896. Preferably, steps 890-896 occur in less than one orseveral seconds (e.g., less than five or ten or fifteen seconds). Oncethe alarm occurs, a parent checks the infant (step 898) to determinewhether the alarm is real and, if needed, to administer aid. If for somereason the alarm was incorrect, the remote receiver is reset (step 898)and the monitor device continues to assess distressing situations togenerate events.

As an alternative, the detector of the monitor device (FIG. 55) is atemperature (or alternatively a humidity) detector, and the alarmmonitor merely tracks infant temperature for worried parents; such adevice is useful for sick infants in particular. The temperature sensorcan be coupled with other detectors (e.g., heart rate) to providemultiple functions, if desired.

The MMDs and EMDs of the invention thus have several other advantages.They may be used discretely and safely as medical diagnostic andmonitoring detectors. With appropriate detectors, EMDs of the inventioncan for example provide for portable, wireless pulse oxymeters or bloodglucose monitors. With the appropriate detectors in MMDs, rehabilitationclinicians would be able to quantitatively monitor metrics such as limbmovement and balance. EMDs equipped with certain detectors may find useas real time, remote and inexpensive pH monitors and blood gas monitors.

One MMD 900 of the invention and useful in medical applications is shownin FIG. 57. MMD 900 is similar to device 10 of FIG. 1, but in addition(or alternatively) has a detector 902 that senses weight. Detector 902for example is a force sensing resistor or electro-resistive device.Preferably, MMD 900 is applied to one or more locations at the bottom ofa human foot 906 via attachment with adhesive strips 908. Those skilledin the art should appreciate that MMD 900 can alternatively be locatedat other locations on the human body. On the occurrence of an “event”,MMD 900 generates wireless signals 910 for receipt at a remote receiver912, here shown in the form of a watch with antenna 914. Watch 912 isgenerally worn by the person having foot 906.

MMD 900 is preferably in the form of a MMD 10 z of FIGS. 2B-2C, thoughwith a weight sensing detector. In operation, MMD 900 is firstcalibrated: all the weight of person with foot 906 is applied to MMD 900so that detector 902 is calibrated to that entire weight. Alternatively,a separate weight simply calibrates MMD 900. Thereafter, MMD 900generates “events” corresponding to fractions of the entire weight thatthe person with foot 906 applies to MMD 900. For example, one MMD 900generates wireless data 910 each time MMD 900 experiences at leastone-fourth the entire weight; that data 910 is converted and displayedon receiver 912, as shown. In this way, when a cast is applied to aperson, MMD 900 may be applied under foot, so that the person may obeydoctor's orders to put no more than ¼ weight on foot 906, for example.As an alternative, MMD 900 is already calibrated to certain weights,e.g., 200 lbs, 180 lbs, etc. A pre-calibrated MMD 900 may then beapplied to 200 lbs persons to generate events as needed. For example, anMMD 900 is used effectively to generate an event, to inform the person,that ½ or ¾ of the person's entire weight is on one foot.

A weight sensing MMD may also take the form of MMD 920, FIG. 58. Here,MMD 920 has an array of detectors 922. Detectors 922 may be forcesensing resistors or other weight sensitive elements. Detectors 922collectively and electrically couple to processor 924. Other elements(not shown) connect with processor 924, e.g., a communications port andbattery, such as monitor device 10 of FIG. 1. In operation, MMD 920senses weight applied to foot 930 while walking or standing. Over time,MMD 920 ascertains the actual weight of the person of foot 930. Onceweight is determined, MMD 920 relays weight information to a remotereceiver, e.g., watch 940 with antenna 940 a, via wireless signals 942.Receiver 940 displays pertinent data, e.g., what fractional weight isapplied onto foot 930.

In this way, a person may track his or her weight at any time. MMD 920and receiver 940 may also communicate two-way, so that watch 940 queriesMMD 920 for weight data, thereby conserving battery power. Those skilledin the art should appreciate that MMD and receiver 920, 940 may beconfigured differently and still be within the scope of the invention.In one embodiment, MMD 920 is integrated with a shoe pad insert to fitinto any shoe. Alternatively, MMD 920 is integrated directly into ashoe, as shown in FIG. 59. Detector 922 may also have fewer or moredetectors depending upon design placement of detectors relative to foot930; that is, a single detector can be used to measure weight ifarranged to accurately detect all or part of a person's weight. In sucha configuration, MMD 920 may take the form of an adhesive bandagemonitor device with a single detector and applied to the sole of a foot,as shown in FIG. 57. Preferably, weight is calibrated prior to use(e.g., when shoe is lifted off the ground) so that weight is determinedrelatively. In another embodiment, selectively positioning elements 922to high impact areas of foot 930 (e.g., at the ball and heel of foot930), the invention monitors impact and improper walking or runningevents so as to provide corrective feedback to users or doctors.

FIG. 59 shows a shoe-based weight sensing system 950 constructedaccording to the invention. System 950 has one or more weight sensingdetectors 952 coupled to a processing section 954 (and, as a matter ofdesign choice, other components such as shown in device 10 of FIG.1)—all arranged with a shoe 956 (or within an insert for shoe 956). Inoperation, shoe 956 generates wireless signals 958 for a remote receiver(e.g., watch 940, FIG. 58) to inform the person wearing shoe 956 of hisor her weight or weight loss. By integrating a transceiver and antenna959 with processing section 954, the remote receiver interrogates shoe956 for weight information. In this way, health conscious persons canwear shoe 956 and learn of their weight at any desired time. Such a shoe956 is for example useful in determining weight loss. By way of example,a runner may use shoe 956 to determine weight loss in ounces, informingthe runner that he or she should drink replacement water. Accordingly,in the preferred embodiment, a runner first calibrates his or her weightprior to a race; then system 950 reports weight loss relative to thecalibrated weight. Those skilled in the art should appreciate thatalternatives from the foregoing may be achieved without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

FIG. 60 shows one force-sensing resistor 960 suitable for use with thesystems and/or MMD of FIGS. 57-59. Resistor 960 includes resistivematerial 962 and interdigitated contacts 964A, 964B; material 962 formsan electrical path between contact 964A and contact 964B. In operation,a force applied to resistor 960 increases the conductivity in the pathbetween contacts 964A, 964B. By measuring resistance or conductancebetween contacts 964A, 964B, the applied force onto resistor 960 isknown. Typically, resistor 960 is calibrated so that a particularresistance translates into and applied force; as such, a processor suchas processor 954 or 924 may be used to monitor and report force at anygiven time. In one embodiment, force is reported to users in pounds,providing a typically used weight designation for such users.

Preferably, resistor 960 includes flexible polymers as active springagents as the sensing element for loading conditions. Such polymersprovide load-sensing resistors with enhanced performance and withpreferable mechanical characteristics.

FIG. 61 shows another weight sensing device 970 constructed according tothe invention. Device 970 is formed of a shoe 972 and includes a fluidcavity 974 that displaces and pressurizes with applied force—a forcesuch as provided by a user wearing shoe 972. A pressure sensor 976Acoupled with cavity 974, through a small conduit 975, measures pressure.A processor (e.g., processor 954, 924 above) coupled with sensor 976Amonitors pressure signals and converts the signals to weight. As above,preferably device 970 is calibrated such that a particular pressurecorresponds to a particular weight. Preferably, and for increasedaccuracy, cavity 974 does not completely displace away from any portionof cavity 974 when a user applies weight to cavity 974 while wearingshoe 972.

As an alternative to a single cavity 974, cavity 974 can also be made upof separate fluid cells, as exemplified by sections 974A, 974B, 974C,and 974D, and multiple sensors 976A, 976B. In this embodiment, cavitymembrane walls 978 separate sections 974A, 974B, 974C, 974D; optionallytwo or more of sections 974A, 974B, 974C, 974D have an individualpressure sensor monitoring pressure of the particular section, such assensor 976A for section 974D and sensor 976B for section 974C. Thisembodiment is particularly useful in providing highly accurate weightsensing for a user of shoe 972. Each fluid cell 974A-D may for examplehave differing pressurization characteristics to manage the overallweight application of a human foot. For example, cells 974B, 974C may beformed with higher pressure cavities as they are, respectively, underthe ball or heel of the foot and likely have to accommodate higherpressures (i.e., higher applied weight to those sections). In eitherevent, a processor connected to the several pressure sensors 976A, 976Bbeneficially determines weight as a combination of different pressuresof the different fluid cells. Alternatively, a single pressure sensor976A may be used to sequentially measure pressure from various fluidcells 974A-D; and the processor (not shown) then determines weight basedupon the several measurements.

Those skilled in the art should appreciate that the number of cells974A-D, and the number of sensors 976A, 976B, are a matter of designchoice and do not depart from the scope of the invention; more or fewercells 974 or sensors 976 may be used without departing from the scope ofthe invention. Those skilled in the art should also appreciate that ashoe insert can alternatively house cavity 974 (and/or sections 974A,974B); for example, shoe 972 can for example be a shoe insert instead ofa shoe—constructed and arranged such that a user applies weight oncavity 974 in use.

A weight-sensing device of the invention, for example as set forth inFIG. 61 may benefit from additional information such as temperature, asfluid pressure characteristics vary with temperature. Accordingly, inone embodiment of the invention, an additional detector is integratedwith the processor to monitor temperature. As such, a device 970 forexample can include one or more pressure detector 976 and a temperaturedetector (not shown), both of which input data to the processor forprocessing to determine weight applied to cavity 974 (or sections974A-D).

FIG. 62 shows an alternative arrangement of fluid sections 974′ (e.g.,shown as fluid sections 976′, 1000, 1004) integrated with a shoe insert972′. Preferably, sections 974′ are integrated within insert 972′,though FIG. 62 shows sections 974′ external to insert 972′ for purposesof illustration. In operation, a user stepping on insert 972′pressurizes the various sections 974′—and a processor (not shown)determines weight based upon pressure data from pressure sensors 976′connected with the various sections 974′. Higher pressure areas 1000 andlower pressure areas 1002 are then preferably measured by separatepressure sensors 976′. One or more pressure conduits 1004 may be used tocouple like-pressure areas so that a single sensor 976′ monitors asingle like-sensor area.

The invention thus has several advantages in regard to weight loss,monitoring and human fitness. In accord with the above invention, a userof a weight monitoring system or device disclosed herein can review hisor her weight at nearly any time. Runners using such a system and deviceto know their hydration loss; chiropodists may wish to monitor weightdistribution over a patient's feet; and athletic trainers may wish toanalyze weight distribution and forces. The invention of these figuresassists in these areas. In making these measurements, force-sensingresistors may be used; but strain gauge pressure sensors in the shoe mayalso be used. Preferably, in such embodiments, the bottom surface of thefoot is covered by sensors, as weight is not often evenly distributed.Accordingly, a single sensor may not encompass a preferred arrangement,and therefore multiple sensors are preferred in the sole of the shoe (orin a shoe insert), with the results of all sensors summed or combined toa single “weight” answer. In one embodiment, only a portion of the footneed to be covered, covering a certain percentage of the overall weight;and that percentage is scaled to a user's full weight. Weight andcompression forces monitored in a shoe or shoe insert, in accord withthe invention, can further assist in gauging caloric and/or physicaleffort.

FIG. 63 shows a professional wrestling rink system 1100 constructedaccording to the invention. System 1100 has a rink 1102 within whichprofessional wrestlers compete (oftentimes theatrically). Adjacent rink1102 are tables 1104 and chairs 1106, sometimes used in conjunction withrink 1102 (e.g., items 1104 and 1106 are sometimes used to smash over awrestler as part of a performance). A plurality of sensors (e.g., MMDsor EMDs) 1108 are placed (attached, stuck to, etc.) throughout rink,table and/or chairs 1102, 1104, 1106. For example, in one preferredembodiment a plurality of MMD sensors 1108 are placed under rink canvas1110, such as at positions marked “X”, so as to report “impact” ofwrestlers in rink 1102. MMD sensors 1108 may also be placed on one ormore of the corner posts 1112 or ropes 1114—used to form rink 1102.Sensors 1108 are shown illustratively in a few positions about items1102, 1104, 1106, 1110, 1112, 1114 for purposes of illustration—when inreality such sensors 1108 would be difficult to see, or would be hiddenfrom view (for example, sensors 1108 are preferably under canvas 1110).

Data from sensors 1108 typically include information such as impact, asdescribed above. Events associated with “impact” are communicatedwirelessly to a receiving computer 1120 as wireless data 1122. Data 1122for example includes digital data representing impact data received atany of sensors 1108 when wrestlers hit canvas 1110, move ropes 1114, orhit post 1112. Receiving computer 1120 preferably has an antenna 1124and communications port 1126 to receive data 1122. Computer 1120typically re-processes and then retransmits data 1122 to a media site1129, such as television, scoreboard or the Internet, so that viewersmay see data 1122 associated with wrestling at rink 1102. Sincewrestling in and about rink 1102 is often based on choreographed action,computer 1120 preferably includes a data manipulation section 1130 whichpost processes data 1122 in predetermined ways. For example, section1130 may apply an exponential or quadratic function to data 1122 sothat, in effect, and by way of example, a 25 g impact on canvas 1110 isreported as a 25 g impact, but a 50 g impact on canvas 1110 is reportedas a 1000 g impact.

Section 1130 may also manipulate data for a particular player. Forexample, FIG. 64 shows a representative television display 1131 thatincludes data from system 1100. FIG. 53 also shows representativewrestlers 1132 in rink 1102. In a preferred embodiment, one or moresensors 1108 are also placed on wrestlers 1132, such as shown, tomonitor events such as impact received directly on wrestlers 1132. Inone embodiment, sensors 1108 of FIG. 64 are of the form of an adhesivebandage MMD, described above. In another embodiment, sensors 1108 areintegrated into the waistband of the wrestler; this has advantages asbeing close to the wrestler's center of gravity and is thus morerepresentative of total impact received by a particular wrestler.

Data from computer 1120 is thus reported to a media destination 129 suchas television so that it may be displayed to audience members. FIG. 64shows one exemplary data display 1134 overlaid with the actual wrestlingperformance—for television display 1131- and showing impact data in“qualitative” bar scales. Display 1134 may include qualitative wordingsuch as shown. Display 1134 also preferably includes an advertiseroverlay 1136 promoting a certain brand; typically that advertiser paysfor some or all of the content provided for by system 1100 and shown indisplay 1134.

Thus, FIGS. 63 and 64 demonstrate benefits in which the TV viewerdesires to see information such as a display of forces acting onwrestlers in real- or near real-time; the data being presented ingraphical or numeric form and with a range of possible analysesperformed on the forces such as latest, largest average and total. Theseforces typically act in at least two planes i.e. from the side and fromthe front or back, though the invention may also take account of forcesin all three planes. Typically, the forces of interest are those actingon the main mass (torso) of the wrestler, while flailing feet and armsare not generally as important as body slams. The system of theinvention thus resolves forces on individuals and can detect the forceof collision between two wrestlers.

In the preferred embodiment, at least one sensor 1108 attached to ropes1114 preferably takes the form of a long thin sensor (e.g., 0.5″×3″)with a short piece wire (e.g., 3″) protruding from one end to functionas the antenna. This sensor's electronics utilizes a small low poweraccelerometer as the sensing detector, and incorporates a simple gainblock, a small micro controller such as Microchips' PIC12LC672, and asmall low power transmitter such as RFMs'RX6000 or RF Solutions' TX1.These electronics mount on flex circuit (e.g., as shown in FIG. 48) toallow for the excessive bending forces likely to be encountered. Thepower source is preferably a single small (thinnest available) lithiumcell.

In the preferred embodiment, at least one sensor 1108 attached to posts1112 incorporates a gas pressure sensor as the detector; such a sensoris incorporated into the cushions protecting the corner posts 1112 andthus registers an increase reading as the wrestlers collide with theposts Alternatively, such a sensor may be incorporated directly into acushion attached to post 1112; preferably such a cushion is airtight.FIG. 61 shows one fluid-based pressure sensor that may be configured tosuch an application as the cushion with post; gas may for examplereplace the fluid or gel of FIG. 61. In an alternative configuration,sensors 1108 integrated with the posts 1112 may include strain gauges asthe detector. Mounted directly to the posts 1112, these sensors indicatethe forces acting on the post as the wrestlers impact the posts 1112. Inanother alternative, a post sensor may include vibration oraccelerometer detector so that the sensor 1108 determines impact forces.

In one embodiment, at least one of the sensors attached to ropes 1114include extension detectors (or LVDT devices) at the points where theropes are mounted. Sensors 1108 with strain gauges may also be used.Sensors attached to ropes 1114 preferably detect “rope deflection” as areported metric.

In one embodiment, sensors 1108 in the floor incorporate piezoelectriccables mounted as an interlocking grid attached to the underside of thefloor. For example, such cables connect the “x” locations of FIG. 63. Insuch a configuration, only one sensor 1108 may be needed to monitorfloor impact as all cables act as a single “detector” for a MMD sensor1108. Floor or canvas sensors 1108 may also incorporate strain gagesattached in an array on the underside or around the perimeter at pointswhere the floor 1110 is suspended. Vibration sensors and accelerometersmay alternatively be used as the detector in any floor-monitoring sensor1108.

FIG. 65 shows one surfing application for a MMD 1140 of the invention.MMD 1140 of one preferred embodiment includes an accelerometer detector(e.g., as in MMD 10 above) and MMD 1140 determines “G's” for big bottomturns. On-board signal processing for example preferably determines thelocation of a big bottom turn and records an “event” associated with thenumber of G's in the turn. G's may also be reported for other locations.One difficulty with such measurements is that there may be many larger Gforces surfboard 1146 from flips, kicks and other actions; however theinvention solves this difficulty by filtering out such actions. In oneembodiment, the processor within MMD 1140 monitors the low frequencycomponent of the accelerometer detector to determine the difference inthe peaks and troughs of sinusoidal movement, so that MMD 1140 reportswave size and height over time.

One MMD 1140 may also gauge the power of a wave landing on top of thesurfer 1142. Such a MMD 1140 preferably includes a pressure detector todetermine pressure within water 1144 when a wave lands on surfboard 1146and on surfer 1142. A “maximum pressure” event is then reported by MMD1140.

Another MMD 1140 includes an inclinometer or other angle determinationdetector to determine and report angle of the surfboard 1146; forexample a maximum angle is reported for a given run or day.

Data from any particular metric (e.g., g's in a turn, angle ofsurfboard, pressure under water) provided by MMD 1140 is preferablyreported wirelessly to a watch worn by surfer 1142; however such datamay also be displayed on a display integrated with surfboard 1146 ordirectly with sensor 1140, such as shown with an airtime sensor in U.S.Pat. No. 5,960,380, incorporated herein by reference. In the form of awristwatch, one MMD of the invention includes a pressure sensor housedin the watch; the MMD watch then reports the maximum pressure eventswithout need of a separate MMD 1140 mounted to surfboard 1146 (orintegrated therein).

In one preferred embodiment, MMD 1140 includes a speed detector (such asa Doppler module or accelerometers as discussed herein or in U.S. Pat.No. 5,960,380) so that surfer speed is reported to surfer 1142.Preferably, in this embodiment, distance traveled is also reported; byway of example the receiver of data from MMD 1140 (e.g., a digitalwatch) converts speed to distance by multiplying speed by a timeduration traveled over that speed. FIG. 66 shows MMD 1140′ including aDoppler module that radiates energy 1150, as shown, to determine whetherthe rider of surfboard 1146′ is within the “Green Room”—i.e., within awave 1152. Preferably, such a MMD 1140′ also includes a speed sensorwhich indicates that board 1146′ is in motion so that the time durationof riding within the Green Room is determined accurately.

FIG. 67 shows a personal network system 1300 constructed according tothe invention. System 1300 keeps track of personal items, such as cellphone 1302, car keys 1304, wallet or purse 1306, personal data assistant1308, digital watch 1309, and/or personal computer 1310. Additional,fewer or different personal items can be tracked in system 1300, at theselection of a user of system 1300. For example, a user can set upsystem 1300 to keep track of cell phone 1302 and keys 1304 only.Briefly, each personal item of FIG. 67 includes a network transceiver:cell phone 1302 has transceiver 1302 a, car keys 1304 has transceiver1304 a, wallet or purse 1306 has transceiver 1306 a, data assistant 1308has transceiver 1308 a, watch 1309 has a transceiver 1309 a, andcomputer 1310 has transceiver 1310 a. Each transceiver 1302 a, 1304 a,1306 a, 1308 a, 1309 a, 1310 a communicates with every other transceiversubstantially all the time via a wireless link 1320. Those skilled inthe art appreciate that each transceiver 1302 a, 1304 a, 1306 a, 1308 a,1309 a, 1310 a include an antenna to receive and communicate data onlink 1320. In the preferred embodiment, each transceiver 1302 a, 1304 a,1306 a, 1308 a, 1309 a, 1310 a only maintains communications with anyother transceiver over a selected distance, e.g., 100 feet, hereinidentified as the Network Distance. For example, cell phone transceiver1302 a maintains communications with every other transceiver 1304 a,1306 a, 1308 a, 1309 a, 1310 a so long as cell phone 1302 is within theNetwork Distance of every other device 1304, 1306, 1308, 1309, 1310.However, for example, once cell phone 1302 is separated by keys 1304 bymore than the Network Distance, then cell phone 1302 ceasescommunications with keys 1304 but maintains communications with otheritems 1306, 1308, 1309, 1310 (assuming items 1306, 1308, 1309, 1310 arewithin the Network Distance from cell phone 1302).

In one preferred embodiment, each transceiver 1302 a, 1304 a, 1306 a,1308 a, 1309 a, 1310 a includes a Bluetooth microchip and transceiverknown in the art. Bluetooth transceivers only maintain a communicationlink (at a frequency of about 2.4 GHz in the ISM band) over a shortrange, e.g., 50 feet, and are not generally suitable for longercommunication distances.

Optionally, one or more of transceivers 1302 a, 1304 a, 1306 a, 1308 a,1309 a, 1310 a are instead transponders; and at least one of items 1302a, 1304 a, 1306 a, 1308 a, 1309 a, 1310 a provide excitation energy tothe transponders to “reflect” data along link 1320 to provide thefunctionality described herein. Those skilled in the art shouldappreciate that items 1302 a, 1304 a, 1306 a, 1308 a, 1309 a, 1310 a mayincorporate other technology, such as transmitters, to facilitate likefunctionality. That is, not every item 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308, 1309,1310 needs to transmit and receive data on link 1320. For example,wallet 1306 can include a transmitter instead of a transceiver toprovide data about itself on link 1320; and other items 1302, 1304,1308, 1309, 1310 can use wallet data to know whether it is in thenetwork or not (even though wallet 1306 does not know whether otheritems 1302, 1304, 1308, 1309, 1310 are in the network). Transponders canprovide like functionality for certain items 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308,1309, 1310 as a matter of design choice.

Wireless link 1320 includes information about time and items in thenetwork; preferably the information also includes location information.For example, data 1320 informs each item 1302-1310 that every other itemis still within the network, and, thus, that one or more items have notmoved to beyond the Network Distance. If one item—e.g., keys 1304—leavesthe network so that item 1304 no longer communicates on link 1320, everyother item 1302, 1306, 1308, 1310 knows that item 1304 is no longerlinked and data is stored on every other item 1302, 1306, 1308, 1310indicating a time when item 1304 left the network. Preferably, thestored data in every other item also includes where the network was whenkeys 1304 disappeared.

In the simplest embodiment, each of items 1302-1310 includes acorresponding indicator 1302 b-1310 b; each of indicators 1302 b-1310 bcan for example be a LED, LCD, buzzer or vibrator. When any of items1301-1310 are “lost” from the network—e.g., one item moves beyond theNetwork Distance—then the indicator in one or more of the other itemstells the user of system 1300 that an item has “left”. That person canthen expend effort to location the lost item. By way of example, each ofindicators 1302 b-1310 b may provide a beep, sound or vibration toprovide the user with knowledge of a lost item 1302-1310.

In a more complex embodiment, data stored on any item 1302-1310indicating the loss of any item within network 1300 is a “cookie” ofinformation detailing when and where an item left the network. In thisway, a user of system 1300 can locate and find the lost item byreviewing cookies in any other item. By way of example, consider anetwork 1300 made from keys 1304, wallet 1306, digital watch 1309 andcell phone 1302—items commonly carried by a male business person. In thepreferred embodiment, this person would designate items 1302, 1304,1306, 1309 as being “in network” (such as described below in connectionwith FIG. 68)—and system 1300 thereafter monitors items 1302, 1304,1306, 1309 so that the person can keep track of items 1302, 1304, 1306,1309. If for example this person leaves his cell phone 1302 in arestaurant, then items 1304, 1306, 1309 know this occurred and informhim of the time, and preferably the location, of when cell phone 1302was lost. Thus for example, watch 1309 can light an LED (as indicator1309 b) that an item is lost; item 1304 can indicate (through a LCDindicator 1304 b) that cell phone 1302 was lost in cell areacorresponding to downtown Boston at 15:15 pm. Specifically, in oneembodiment, cell phone 1302 provides “location” information of at leasta cell area; and cell phone 1302 provides “time” information by its realtime clock (those skilled in the art appreciate that keys 1304, digitalwatch 1309 or any other item can also include a real time clock as amatter of design choice). Accordingly, link 1320 has location and timeinformation updated to each item 1304, 1306, 1309. In leaving his cellphone at the restaurant, keys 1304, wallet 1306. watch 1309 receive“cookie” deposited in internal memory indicating when and where cellphone 1302 left the network of items 1302, 1304, 1306, 1309.Accordingly, the person reviews data in either of items 1304, 1306, 1309to learn of where he left his cell phone. Note that if he then lost item1304, he may also learn something of when item 1304 left the smallernetwork of items 1304, 1306, 1309 depending upon time and location dataavailable. Those skilled in the art appreciate that cell phonetechnology enables more precise location information of where a cellphone is; and preferably this information will be provided to networksystem 1300 so that more precise location information is available toall network items. GPS receiver chips may also be incorporated into anyof items 1302-1310 to provide the location information as describedherein in connection with system 1300.

Users of system 1300 “program” which items are in the network preferablythrough a personal computer interface, shown in FIG. 68. In FIG. 68, apersonal computer 1312 connects with a transceiver controller 1314 toprogram a network transceiver 1316 a (representative of any transceiver1302 a, 13014 a, 1306 a, 1308 a, 1309 a, 1310 a, for example).Controller 1314 preferably includes a transceiver that wirelesslycommunications with transceiver 1316 a via a data control link 1321.Computer 1312 provides security and ID information so that itemsnetworked in system 1300 are secure relative to other users with othernetworks. By way of example, computer 1312 may provide an password keythat is only known and used by items of network 1300; so that otheritems of other networks does not communicate on link 1320.

Note that a “wallet” or “purse” do not generally have electronicsassociated therewith, to provide the functionality described above.Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, a transceiver 1306 a is“attached” to a wallet or purse to provide the underlying electronics.By way of example, such a transceiver takes the form of a credit cardinserted into the wallet or purse. FIG. 69 illustrates onenon-electronic item 1340, e.g., a wallet 1306, attached to a transceiver1340 a suitable for construction as an attachment like a smart card.Transceiver 1340 a can for example include a Bluetooth microchip 1324 aor alternatively a transmitter or transponder 1324 b. A GPS receiver1322 can alternatively be included with transceiver 1340 a. An antenna1326, if needed, provides for communication along link 1320, FIG. 67. AnLCD or LED data interface provides data and/or warnings to usersreviewing item 1340 (and specifically transceiver 1340 a). A userinterface 1340 c permits access to and/or modification of data orfunctionality of transceiver 1340 a. A real time clock 1330 preferablyprovides time data for time stamping “lost” item information ontonetwork link 1320, so that a user would know when item 1340 (or otheritems) were lost. In the preferred embodiment, a cookie memory stores“events” associated with lost items—e.g., a cell phone was lost at GPScoordinates X,Y at noon, providing obvious benefit in finding the lostitem.

FIG. 70 and FIG. 71 show an electronic drink coaster 1400 constructedaccording to the invention. Internal electronics 1402 sense the weightof a drink 1404 on coaster 1400 to automatically inform a restaurant orbar, via wireless signals 1406 to a restaurant or bar receiver 1408,that the customer needs a drink or refill. In one embodiment, a customercan also place an order from coaster 1400. Liquid (e.g., beer) 1410 maybe used to calibrate electronics 1402 so that electronics 1402 knowswhen glass 1412 is full or empty, to report the information as data1406.

FIG. 71 shows a top plan view of coaster 1400, including customer orderor calibration buttons 1410 a, 1410 b. Electronics 1402, typicallyinternal to coaster 1400, include a weight detector 1420, communicationsport 1422, processor 1424, and antenna 1426; electronics 1402 aresimilar in design to many of the MMDs or EMDs described herein. Weightdetector 1420 detects weight on coaster 1400; and processor 1422 decideshow to use the weight information in a meaningful way. By way ofexample, processor 1422 knows the approximate weight of glass 1412 ontoweight detector 1420, and once glass 1412 is filled with beer it alsoknows when glass 1412 is empty—creating one reporting event to barreceiver 1408, if desired. Users of coaster 1400 can also select inputsto coaster electronics 1402 so as to place orders, wirelessly, torestaurant receiver 1408. For example, a user of coaster 1400 can order“another beer” by pressing button 1410 a. Other order functions can ofcourse be included with coaster 1400, including an LED 1430 thatprovides the status of orders, sent to coaster 1400 via receiver 1408.

FIG. 72 shows a package management system 1500, and sensor 1502, of theinvention. Sensor 1502 (e.g., a MMD or EMD described herein) may beintegrated directly with a shipping label 1504 for attachment to a boxor envelope to ship products, goods or other material. Sensor 1502includes an integrated circuit 1502A, a communications port 1502B and abattery 1502C to communicate data (e.g., impact, temperature, humidity)experienced by label 1504 to external devices. By way of example, aremote receiver 1508 may be used to interrogate or read data from sensor1502. In the preferred embodiment, sensor 1502 also includes a uniquepackage identifier (e.g., like a bar code) so as to identify label 1504and the goods associated therewith. A receiver 1508 linked to atransportation channel of label 1504 (e.g., a transportation channeltraveled by a shipping truck 1510) may then communicate with sensor1502, e.g., via wireless link 1505, to determine whether label 1504 isin the correct channel. Accordingly, sensor 1502 helps track label 1504and may further prevent theft of packages linked to label 1504 since thewireless system may automatically determine inappropriate location oflabel 1504. A remote wireless relay tower 1512 may communicate withreceiver 1508 so as to manage and track label 1504 movement and locationduring shipment. The invention may augment or even replace manualscanning of labels for shipping packages; the invention may also preventtheft of packages by automatically identifying inappropriate packages inshipment channels.

In the preferred embodiment, a dispenser 1514 may contain several labelssimilar to label 1504; dispenser preferably issues label 1504 in amanner similar to canister 200, FIG. 10, so as to “power on” label 1504with an internal time stamp. A location code and/or time code are thuspreferably communicated from dispenser 1514 to sensor 1502 when label1504 issues 1516 from dispenser 1514.

FIG. 73 shows a product integrity tracking system 1600 of the invention.One or more sensors 1602 (e.g., each of the sensors being a MMD or EMD)attach to a customer product 1604. Preferably, sensors 1602 “stick” toproduct 1604 similar to MMDs or EMDs discussed herein. Product 1604 maybe any product of value, including, for example, medical devices,computers, furniture and pharmaceuticals (in the case ofpharmaceuticals, sensors 1604 may for example attach to packagingcontaining the pharmaceuticals, or be arranged adjacent to product 1604,such as indicated by sensor 1602A). Typically, product 1604 initiatesshipment along a shipping channel at the customer facility 1610 (e.g., aplant or laboratory). The company of facility 1610 may for exampleindependently attach sensors 1602 to product 1604. A shipping channelmay for example include a separate shipping company such as FED EX witha truck 1612. At the conclusion of travel, product 1604 reaches itsdestination 1614 (e.g., a place controlled by the customer of thecompany of facility 1610). At destination 1614, sensors 1604 are readthrough wireless link 1619 by an interrogating device 1620 so as to seehow product 1604 fared during travel. The shipping company may havepersons 1622 to take the reading or this may occur automatically atdestination 1614. Data acquired from sensor 1602 may for example includeimpact (or “acceleration information”) and temperature, each preferablywith a time stamp help track event occurrences (e.g., an accelerationevent greater than 10 g's at 9:10 AM, Monday). Multiple sensors 1602provide for detecting event occurrences at different locations onproduct 1604. This is particularly useful for complex medical devicesthat may have a relatively sturdy base and a fragile robotic arm, eachwith different performance specifications (e.g., each with a maximumload allowance); sensors 1602 may thus each attach to separate area ofproduct 1604 so that product integrity information 1619 may bedetermined for multiple locations. Data from device 1620 may communicateautomatically, via link 1621, and back to facility 1610 through network1630 (e.g., the Internet) and through a firewall 1632 so as tocommunicate product integrity information, in near real-time, to thecompany of product 1604. In this way, this company may better manage itsbrand integrity of product 1604 during shipment. If a damaging eventoccurred to product 1604, during shipment, that company will learn aboutit and may ship a replacement product (or move to refurbish product1604).

What is claimed is:
 1. A personal item comprising: an indicator; areceiver operative to receive broadcast communications from at least oneof a plurality of other personal items; and a processor operative to:determine that a communication is no longer being received from the atleast one of the plurality of other personal items at a particular time;determine a current location of the personal item; direct the indicatorto provide an indication to a user at the personal item that thecommunication is no longer being received; and retain the determinedcurrent location and the particular time.
 2. The personal item of claim1, further comprising dedicated positioning circuitry for determiningthe current location of the personal item.
 3. The personal item of claim1, wherein: the receiver ceases receiving communications from the atleast one of the plurality of other personal items when distance betweenthe at least one of the plurality of personal items and the personalitem exceeds a network distance.
 4. The personal item of claim 3,wherein the network distance is between 50 feet and 100 feet.
 5. Thepersonal item of claim 1, wherein: the receiver maintains receivingcommunications from the at least one of the plurality of other personalitems when distance between the at least one of the plurality ofpersonal items and the personal item is within a network distance. 6.The personal item of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises at leastone of: a visual indication; an auditory indication; and a tactileindication.
 7. The personal item of claim 6, wherein the processor isfurther operative to: direct the indicator to display at least one ofthe retained current location and the retained particular time.
 8. Thepersonal item of claim 6, wherein the indicator comprises a lightemitting diode (“LED”).
 9. The personal item of claim 1, wherein thepersonal item comprises at least one of: a cell phone; keys; a wallet; apurse; a personal data assistant; a watch; and a computer.
 10. Thepersonal item of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a Bluetoothreceiver.
 11. A method for locating a lost electronic device,comprising: establishing a communications path between a firstelectronic device and a second electronic device, wherein thecommunications path is within a personal items network; determining thatthe first electronic device is no longer communicating with the secondelectronic device; storing, in the first electronic device, at least oneof a time and a location of the first electronic device in response todetermining that the first electronic device is no longer communicatingwith the second electronic device; and providing an output using thefirst electronic device informing a user at the first electronic devicethat the second electronic device is no longer communicating with thefirst electronic device in response to determining that the firstelectronic device is no longer communicating with the second electronicdevice, wherein the output is indicative of the stored at least one oftime and location to guide the user to the second electronic device. 12.The method of claim 11, wherein the first electronic device comprises acell phone providing the location.
 13. The method of claim 11, whereinthe first electronic device comprises a GPS receiver providing thelocation.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the firstelectronic device and the second electronic device comprises at leastone device of the group consisting of a wallet, purse, personal dataassistant, personal computer, watch, credit card, keys, and a cellphone.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the firstelectronic device and the second electronic device comprises a creditcard having a transceiver to facilitate the communications path.
 16. Themethod of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first electronic deviceand the second electronic device comprises a transponder to reflect datato at least one other item within the personal items network.
 17. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising: communicating the at least oneof the time and the location from the first electronic device to a thirdelectronic device.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the outputcomprises at least one of: a visual output; an auditory output; and atactile output.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising: defininga cookie of information using the first electronic device to assist inlocating lost items.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the definedcookie of information comprises the time and the location.